Putin appears ready to test new nuclear missile as he prepares for Trump talks, researchers say
Russia appears to be preparing to test its new nuclear-armed, nuclear-powered cruise missile, according to two U.S. researchers and a Western security source, even as Russian President Vladimir Putin readies for talks on Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday.
Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies, and Decker Eveleth of the CNA research and analysis organization, based in Virginia, reached their assessments separately by studying imagery taken in recent weeks until Tuesday by Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm.
They agreed the photos showed extensive activity at the Pankovo test site on the Barents Sea archipelago of Novaya Zemlya, including increases in personnel and equipment and ships and aircraft associated with earlier tests of the 9M730 Burevestnik (Storm Petrel).
“We can see all of the activity at the test site, which is both huge amounts of supplies coming in to support operations and movement at the place where they actually launch the missile,” Lewis said.
A Western security source, who asked not to be further identified, confirmed that Russia is preparing a Burevestnik test.
Lewis said a test could occur this week, raising the possibility it could overshadow the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. [Continue reading…]
First unveiled by Russian leader Vladimir Putin in March 2018, the Burevestnik can reportedly carry either a conventional or nuclear warhead. Its novel reactor-powered propulsion allows sustained atmospheric flight, but the technology is experimental and carries serious risks.
Experts warn that rocket motor failures or off-course flights could scatter radioactive material over vast areas if the missile’s nuclear reactor is compromised. Even without an explosion, questions remain about radioactive contamination at the missile’s eventual impact site.
Norway’s Intelligence Service has previously warned that such tests carry a risk of accidents and local radioactive contamination. Norway’s Finnmark region lies about 900 kilometers (559 miles) from the Pankovo site. [Continue reading…]