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US Researchers Uncover Likely Launch Site of Russia’s Controversial Nuclear-Powered Missile

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Two U.S. researchers have identified a probable deployment site for Russia’s new nuclear-powered missile, the 9M370 Burevestnik, also known as “Skyfall” by NATO. The missile, which boasts near-limitless range and the ability to evade U.S. missile defenses, has been touted by President Vladimir Putin as an “invincible” weapon. However, Western experts have expressed skepticism about its strategic value, citing both its limited advantages and potential safety risks.

Satellite images taken by Planet Labs on July 26 have revealed a construction project near a nuclear warhead storage facility, Vologda-20, which researchers Decker Eveleth and Jeffery Lewis believe is the missile’s potential deployment site. The facility, located 295 miles north of Moscow, features nine horizontal launch pads, housed within berms for protection, with roads leading to nuclear storage bunkers. This configuration has led the researchers to conclude that Russia is advancing with its deployment of the missile despite a history of problematic test flights.

The missile’s poor performance record has raised doubts about its future. According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, at least 13 tests since 2016 have only resulted in two partial successes. One of the most concerning failures occurred in 2019 when a nuclear reactor aboard a prototype exploded during recovery, leading to radioactive contamination in the White Sea. While Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom acknowledged the death of five engineers in the incident, Putin maintained that the weapon was unparalleled globally.

Despite its shortcomings, some experts believe the Burevestnik could be used as a political tool, enhancing Putin’s image as a strong leader and sending a message to Washington about the limitations of U.S. missile defenses. The missile’s development, which is not banned under the New START treaty, suggests that Russia is determined to expand its nuclear capabilities amidst deteriorating relations with the West, further escalating fears of a new arms race.

While some view the Burevestnik as a unique threat with its nuclear-powered engine capable of emitting radiation along its flight path, others argue it offers little strategic advantage over existing Russian capabilities. Experts like Cheryl Rofer, a former U.S. nuclear weapons scientist, have voiced concerns over its risks, describing the missile as a “flying Chernobyl” that poses more danger to Russia than its adversaries.

With the New START treaty set to expire in 2026, the deployment of the Burevestnik raises significant questions about future arms control efforts between the U.S. and Russia. Some analysts, like Pavel Podvig, speculate that Russia could use the missile as leverage in future negotiations, but with the ongoing war in Ukraine, the prospects for dialogue remain uncertain.

As tensions between Russia and the West continue to grow, the Burevestnik represents both a technological gamble and a potential bargaining chip in the high-stakes world of nuclear diplomacy.

China Denounces U.S. Over Biden’s New Nuclear Strategy Focus on Beijing

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China has sharply criticized the United States following reports that President Joe Biden approved a shift in U.S. nuclear strategy aimed at addressing Beijing’s growing nuclear capabilities. The New York Times revealed that Biden’s revised nuclear strategy, known as the “Nuclear Employment Guidance,” was approved in March amidst concerns from the Pentagon about China’s rapid nuclear expansion, which is expected to rival the U.S. and Russia in the coming decade.

China’s state media and foreign ministry responded swiftly, accusing the U.S. of using China’s nuclear development as a pretext for maintaining its own large arsenal. The editor of the Global Times, a prominent government-affiliated publication, accused the U.S. of hyping up the “China nuclear threat narrative” to justify its post-Cold War nuclear posture. The editor further called on Washington to rebuild trust with China through dialogue rather than confrontation.

China’s foreign ministry echoed these sentiments, with spokeswoman Mao Ning reaffirming that Beijing has no interest in engaging in a nuclear arms race. Mao accused the U.S. of seeking strategic advantage by exaggerating China’s nuclear developments. She called for a more diplomatic approach to managing tensions between the two superpowers.

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The criticism from Beijing comes amid a backdrop of increasing concerns within Washington over China’s military ambitions. A Pentagon report published last year projected that China’s nuclear warhead inventory would exceed 1,000 by 2030, while the number of operational nuclear warheads had already surpassed 500 by May 2023—higher than previous estimates.

The Biden administration’s revised strategy not only focuses on China but also prepares for potential nuclear threats from Russia and North Korea. Despite China’s objections, the White House has maintained that the nuclear strategy was not specifically targeted at any one country, but rather designed to address multiple evolving global threats.

Tensions between the U.S. and China over nuclear issues have been escalating, with both nations exchanging sharp rhetoric in recent years. Informal talks between the two resumed in March 2023, with Chinese officials assuring the U.S. that China would not use nuclear weapons in the Taiwan dispute.

As geopolitical competition between the world’s two largest economies intensifies, nuclear capabilities have become a key point of contention. Beijing sees U.S. policies as a threat to regional stability, while Washington remains concerned about China’s growing military power, especially as it extends its influence in Asia and beyond.

The ongoing friction between the U.S. and China underscores the complexities of global security in a multipolar world where traditional Cold War-era nuclear dynamics are being reshaped by emerging powers. Both nations will need to navigate these challenges carefully to avoid escalating tensions into a full-blown arms race.