Putin Praises Nuclear Missile and Drone Advances

Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the successful development and testing of advanced nuclear-capable weapons systems during a ceremony on Tuesday honoring scientists and engineers involved in their creation. The event came shortly after Russia launched a new nuclear-powered submarine designed to deploy one of these systems, underscoring Moscow's ongoing efforts to modernize its strategic arsenal.

The ceremony focused on the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone. Putin described the Burevestnik as having an unmatched range, surpassing all existing missile systems, with high target accuracy achieved precisely and reliably. He noted that the missile, tested on October 21 in the Arctic region, traveled approximately 8,700 miles and remained airborne for about 15 hours. "I believe foreign specialists were also able to verify this, as a NATO reconnaissance ship was constantly present in the area during the Burevestnik test," Putin said. "We did not interfere with its operation. Let them see."

The Burevestnik features a nuclear-powered turbojet engine, enabling potentially unlimited range, and flies at speeds more than...