Moscow [Russia]: Russia has begun work on a new generation of nuclear-powered cruise missiles, President Vladimir Putin announced during an award ceremony for weapons developers at the Kremlin, according to state media reports.
Putin stated that the upcoming missile systems would achieve speeds exceeding three times the speed of sound, with plans to make them hypersonic in the near future.
“All our plans for developing advanced weapon systems and strengthening the defence sector — from the Army to the Navy — are progressing as intended,” he said. The president also confirmed that the Avangard strategic missile system has now entered combat service.
Highlighting recent advancements, Putin said Russia has started mass production of the Oreshnik intermediate-range missile system and equipped its intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles with cutting-edge warheads.
The Russian leader presented state awards to engineers behind two major nuclear-capable projects — the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon unmanned underwater drone. Calling them “historic achievements,” Putin said these innovations would shape Russia’s defence capabilities “for the entire 21st century.”
According to Putin, the Burevestnik missile has demonstrated exceptional range and performance.
“In terms of flight distance, the Burevestnik has outperformed every known missile system in the world,” he said.
Putin also revealed that a NATO vessel was present in the area during the Burevestnik’s test on October 21 but added that Moscow “did not interfere with its activities.”
In addition to the Burevestnik, Russia has also conducted tests of the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone and launched the Khabarovsk nuclear submarine, built specifically to deploy these weapons. The Poseidon is designed to travel across intercontinental distances at high speeds and extreme depths, surpassing the capabilities of modern torpedoes.
Putin first introduced both the Burevestnik and Poseidon systems in 2018 and later announced a successful Burevestnik test in 2023, according to CNN.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, citing the weapons programs of other nations as justification.
