"Vladimir Putin claimed Russia had successfully tested its Burevestnik cruise missile said to be both powered by a nuclear engine and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. It has been called a flying Chornobyl by arms control experts because it is powered by a nuclear reactor and, depending on the design, potentially spews out radioactive exhaust as it flies."
"On the weekend, Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, told Putin the missile travelled 14,000km (8,700 miles) and was in the air for about 15 hours when it was tested on 21 October. The Burevestnik has been dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by Nato. Russia has regularly threatened that the Ukraine war could go nuclear, for example if allies join Ukraine on the battlefield or provide it with long-range strike weapons as they have done."
"A major nuclear accident in August 2019 killed five Russian scientists who were suspected to have been working on the Burevestnik or something similar. The incident released radiation into surrounding areas. That November, awarding posthumous decorations to the victims' families, Putin said they had been working on an unparalleled weapon. Ukrainian drones forced the closure of Moscow's Domodedovo airport and the smaller Zhukovsky airport, Russian authorities said early on Monday."
Russia claims a successful test of the Burevestnik cruise missile, described as nuclear-powered and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Arms control experts warn the weapon could spew radioactive exhaust depending on design. General Valery Gerasimov reported the missile travelled 14,000km and remained airborne about 15 hours during the 21 October test. NATO calls the system SSC-X-9 Skyfall. Russia has threatened nuclear escalation of the Ukraine war if allies intervene or supply long-range strike weapons. A 2019 nuclear accident killed five scientists suspected of working on the system and released local radiation. Ukrainian drones forced temporary airport closures in Moscow and Russian defenses shot down 28 drones. Kyiv says its strikes target infrastructure supporting the war effort. US sanctions on Russia's oil sector coincided with a 6% rise in global oil prices and reports of paused Russian deliveries to major Indian refineries.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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