Ukrainian military intelligence said that Russia is preparing to test the 9M730 Burevestnik cruise missile, a nuclear weapon with long-range range and the ability to fly at unpredictable trajectories. If the experiment is successful, Moscow is expected to use this result to strengthen its position in negotiations with the West.
Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military intelligence, said the goal of these tests was to verify the scientific and technical solutions applied to the missile system.
According to him, Russia considers testing a tool to increase diplomatic advantages, in the context of frequent threats of using nuclear weapons related to the conflict in Ukraine.
The British news agency quoted an analysis from two US researchers and a Western security source as saying that there are signs that Russia is preparing to test a Burevestnik missile at the Pankovo test site in the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Barents Sea.
Satellite images from Planet Labs show an increase in military, manpower and equipment activities in the area, along with the appearance of ships and aircraft that have often been used in previous tests.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry, the Pentagon and the CIA declined to comment on the information. The White House also did not confirm whether Moscow was preparing an experiment or not, only emphasizing US President Donald Trump's desire for peace for Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin once declared the Burevestnik a "inevitable" weapon against any missile defense system, with an almost unlimited range of fire.
However, experts say that its practical effectiveness has not been proven. According to the nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), the missile has a poor testing history, achieving only two partial results out of 13 known tests.
Many warned that if deployed, this type of weapon could cause radioactive leakage, while it is uncertain to bring a new strategic advantage to Russia compared to existing missiles.
