President Vladimir Putin praised two of Russia’s newest strategic weapons — the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered super-torpedo — saying they strengthen long-term security and strategic parity. Moscow claims the Burevestnik travelled about 14,000 km (8,700 miles) and exceeds Mach 3, using compact nuclear propulsion that can start within seconds. Analysts warn Poseidon could devastate coastlines with radioactive ocean surges. Putin added the compact nuclear technology could have civilian uses in the Arctic, rare-metal extraction and future lunar projects, and said the Oreshnik missile is entering mass production.
Putin Hails New Russian Weapons as Security Game-Changers — Says They Could Also Aid Arctic Work and Moon Projects
President Vladimir Putin praised two of Russia’s newest strategic weapons — the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered super-torpedo — saying they strengthen long-term security and strategic parity. Moscow claims the Burevestnik travelled about 14,000 km (8,700 miles) and exceeds Mach 3, using compact nuclear propulsion that can start within seconds. Analysts warn Poseidon could devastate coastlines with radioactive ocean surges. Putin added the compact nuclear technology could have civilian uses in the Arctic, rare-metal extraction and future lunar projects, and said the Oreshnik missile is entering mass production.
23:32, 04.11.2025Security
Putin praises new weapons, cites civilian uses including Arctic work and lunar projects
Nov 4 – President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday lauded two of Russia’s latest strategic systems, calling them faster, more effective and capable of ensuring long-term security and strategic parity. At a ceremony honoring the designers and builders, he highlighted the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered super-torpedo.
Quoting Russian news agencies, Putin said the developments have "historic significance" for ensuring security and parity "for decades to come and, we can boldly say, for the entire 21st century."
Last week Moscow announced a successful test of the nuclear-capable Burevestnik ("storm petrel"). The chief of staff of Russia’s armed forces said the missile covered about 14,000 km (8,700 miles). Putin described the weapon as travelling at more than three times the speed of sound and said its propulsion uses compact nuclear reactors that can be brought online 'within seconds.' He also said a NATO warship was reportedly in the area during the test.
The Kremlin also announced a trial of the Poseidon super-torpedo. Military analysts warn the system could devastate coastal areas by producing large radioactive ocean surges; at the ceremony Putin said the torpedo’s speed "far exceeded that of any surface vessel."
Putin argued the compact nuclear technologies behind both systems could have civilian applications as well, including operations in the Arctic, powering equipment for rare-metal extraction and supporting long-term space projects such as a lunar station.
He also said Russia is proceeding with mass production of the Oreshnik missile, which Moscow says was first used against Ukraine in November 2024.
Reporting by Reuters; writing by Ron Popeski; editing by Matthew Lewis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.