Putin Reveals Details of New Nuclear-Powered Hypersonic Missiles

Putin Reveals Details of New Nuclear-Powered Hypersonic Missiles

Putin Unveils Operational Secrets of Russia's Most Advanced Nuclear Weapons

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin disclosed unprecedented technical specifications for Russia's nuclear-powered strategic weapons during a Kremlin ceremony Tuesday, revealing capabilities that Western analysts say represent genuine advances in weapons technology while serving as calculated nuclear messaging amid deteriorating US-Russia relations.

The November 5 awards ceremony honored scientists and engineers behind the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and Poseidon autonomous underwater torpedo, with Putin describing their achievements as having "historic importance for the Russian people and for the balance of power throughout the entire 21st century."

Poseidon: The Deep-Diving Nuclear Torpedo

Putin provided the most detailed public description yet of the Poseidon system, revealing operational parameters that challenge conventional anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The nuclear-powered torpedo can reach depths up to 1,000 meters and travels at speeds that exceed modern surface vessels "severalfold," Putin stated. The weapon reportedly operates at speeds up to 54 knots and has a range of 10,000 kilometers, allowing intercontinental strikes from underwater.

The torpedo measures approximately 24 meters long and 1.6-2 meters in diameter, with a launch weight of roughly 110 tons. Its warhead compartment—a cylinder 1.5 meters in diameter and 4 meters long—provides sufficient volume for large-yield nuclear weapons.

Russian lawmakers described Poseidon as powerful enough to incapacitate entire states, with analysts speculating its warhead could be a cobalt bomb design maximizing long-term radioactive contamination. According to NukeMap modeling, a detonation could render an area of roughly 1,700 by 300 kilometers uninhabitable or unleash "nuclear tsunamis" on coastal cities.

Putin claimed the Poseidon's power "significantly exceeds" the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, suggesting a multi-megaton warhead. Russian designers estimate the torpedo's detection radius at only 2-3 kilometers when traveling at cruising speed, with specialized pump-jet propulsion designed to mimic civilian ship noise.

First Successful Powered Test

Putin revealed that on October 28, "for the first time, we managed not only to launch it with a launch engine from a carrier submarine, but also to launch the nuclear power unit on which this device passed a certain amount of time." This marked the first confirmed test of Poseidon under full nuclear propulsion, a critical milestone after years of development.

The weapon will deploy aboard specially modified submarines including the Project 09852 Belgorod, which entered service in 2022, and the newly launched Project 09851 Khabarovsk, which was unveiled November 2. Oscar-class submarines can carry six Poseidon torpedoes simultaneously for a total yield of up to 600 megatons.

Burevestnik: Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile Breakthrough

Putin disclosed revolutionary advances in the Burevestnik's miniaturized nuclear reactor technology—a capability that eluded Cold War weapons designers.

The compact nuclear reactors can activate "within seconds," a stark contrast to conventional reactors requiring hours or days to reach operational status. This rapid activation solves one of the fundamental challenges that led the US and Soviet Union to abandon nuclear-powered missile programs decades ago.

Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov reported the missile flew 14,000 kilometers over 15 hours during October testing, demonstrating sustained nuclear-powered flight. Gerasimov indicated "this is not the attainable limit," suggesting even greater endurance capabilities.

Putin confirmed Burevestnik currently achieves speeds exceeding Mach 3, with future variants expected to reach hypersonic velocities above Mach 5. The missile flies at ultra-low altitudes, staying below radar to make interception nearly impossible.

Unlimited Range, Unpredictable Trajectories

Putin emphasized that "in terms of flight range, the Burevestnik has surpassed all known missile systems in the world." When first revealed in 2018, Putin claimed the weapon would have unlimited range, allowing it to circle the globe undetected by missile defense systems.

The Russian leader claimed Burevestnik is invulnerable to current and future missile defenses due to its almost unlimited range and unpredictable flight path. The ability to loiter for extended periods and approach targets from unexpected directions fundamentally challenges traditional missile defense architectures designed to intercept predictable ballistic trajectories.

Norwegian Intelligence Service Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensoenes confirmed the missile test at Novaya Zemlya and noted it flew "significantly longer than before," validating Russian claims of improved performance.

Environmental and Safety Concerns

The Burevestnik reportedly suffered an explosion during August 2019 testing at a White Sea naval range, killing five nuclear engineers and two service members while causing radiation spikes that fueled fears in nearby communities. The US and Soviet Union worked on nuclear-powered missiles during the Cold War but abandoned them as too hazardous.

The onboard nuclear reactor operates continuously during flight, potentially releasing radiation if the missile crashes or is intercepted. Despite Russian claims of revolutionary capabilities, weapons experts noted that nuclear-powered missiles pose serious environmental and operational risks.

Sarmat: The "Satan II" ICBM Nears Deployment

Putin told wounded soldiers at a Moscow military hospital that the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile will enter experimental combat duty in 2025 with full operational deployment in 2026. The announcement confirms Russia's most powerful ICBM is finally approaching operational status after years of delays.

Technical Specifications

The super-heavy liquid-fueled silo-based missile has a launch weight exceeding 200 tons, measures approximately 35 meters in length and 3 meters in diameter, with a declared range up to 18,000 kilometers.

Sarmat can carry a 10-ton payload including up to 15-16 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles or combinations of warheads and decoys, and is compatible with Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles. Russian sources indicate the missile can carry 10 heavy 750-kiloton warheads, 15-16 lighter warheads, or 3 Avangard hypersonic gliders.

Critically, Sarmat employs a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System mode, allowing trajectories over the South Pole to reduce warning time for adversaries. This capability enables strikes on the United States from the south, avoiding missile defense systems concentrated in the northern hemisphere.

Putin stated the missile has a short boost phase, shortening the interval when satellites with infrared sensors can track it, making interception more difficult. The missile features a circular error probable of just 10 meters—extraordinary precision for an ICBM—enabling strikes on hardened military installations.

Deployment Plans

The Russian Ministry of Defense has reportedly ordered 50 RS-28 Sarmat missiles for deployment once final technical hurdles are resolved. The weapon will replace aging R-36M ICBMs at Dombarovsky Air Base in Orenburg Oblast and Uzhur in Krasnoyarsk Krai.

Launch silos are being equipped with the Mozyr active protection system, which deploys metallic projectiles to destroy incoming cruise missiles and reentry vehicles at altitudes up to 6 kilometers—representing significant innovation in ICBM site defense.

Oreshnik: First Combat Use of Advanced IRBM

Putin confirmed that serial production of the Oreshnik intermediate-range missile system has commenced, with deployment to Russian Armed Forces proceeding "in full."

Russia first used Oreshnik in combat on November 21, 2024, striking the Pivdenmash aerospace facility in Dnipro, Ukraine—marking the first battlefield use of an intermediate-range ballistic missile in history.

Advanced MIRV Technology

The missile carries a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle payload with six warheads, each reportedly containing submunitions. Video footage showed "practically simultaneous arrival of the warheads at the target," demonstrating highly effective targeting, according to Russian military experts.

Ukrainian military sources reported the missile travels at speeds exceeding Mach 10, placing it firmly in the hypersonic category. Analysts described the warheads' accuracy as sufficient for delivering nuclear payloads but noted the system would benefit from submunitions for conventional strikes.

The weapon reportedly exceeds 3,000 kilometers in range, can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, and features a depressed trajectory with unpredictable reentry maneuvers that complicate interception by NATO air defense systems.

Production and Availability

Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov stated there were only two Oreshnik prototypes, though slightly more could exist, and the weapon is "not yet in serial production" at the time of the November 2024 strike. Putin's November 2025 announcement of serial production suggests rapid progress over the past year.

Based on visual analysis, Ukrainian defense media estimated the launch weight of the Oreshnik missile with its container at approximately 45-48 tons, with the missile itself weighing around 40-43 tons. The launcher is mounted on the MZKT-79291 chassis, a 12×12 heavy vehicle previously used for Russian ICBMs including the Topol-M.

Strategic Context and Western Response

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "the repeated emphasis on the long range of the weapon and ability to overcome any missile defense system indicates that the intended target would be the United States, not a regional adversary that Russia could strike with much cheaper shorter-range systems."

Putin noted that a NATO reconnaissance vessel was present during recent Burevestnik testing, stating "we did not interfere with their work—let them see for themselves." This transparent approach contrasts with typical secrecy surrounding strategic weapons and appears designed to demonstrate capabilities directly to Western observers.

Trump Orders Nuclear Testing Resumption

In response to Russian weapons demonstrations, Trump announced October 30 that he had instructed the Pentagon to resume US nuclear weapons testing "on an equal basis" with Russia and China, potentially ending America's three-decade moratorium.

Nuclear experts were confused by Trump's announcement, noting that Russia has tested nuclear-capable delivery systems but has not conducted nuclear warhead detonations. The US last detonated a nuclear weapon in 1992, and Congressional Research Service reports indicate resuming testing would require 24 to 36 months of preparation.

Arms Control Implications

The New START Treaty, the last remaining bilateral strategic arms control agreement limiting US and Russian nuclear arsenals, expires in February 2026. Russia currently maintains approximately 4,309 nuclear warheads assigned to strategic and tactical forces, with roughly 1,718 strategic warheads deployed, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

Putin insisted "our country threatens no one" while emphasizing that Russia's nuclear modernization follows practices of other nuclear powers and serves solely to maintain strategic stability. However, the weapons revelations come as Trump, frustrated by Putin's unwillingness to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies and cancelled a planned summit.

Analysis: Game-Changing or Messaging?

The technical capabilities Putin described represent genuine engineering achievements, particularly the rapid-activation nuclear reactors and deep-diving autonomous torpedoes. However, questions remain about operational reliability, production numbers, and actual strategic value versus psychological impact.

CSIS analysts concluded: "Putin is using this test to create fear in the United States to discourage US decisionmakers from pursuing policies that threaten Russian interests," including weapons transfers to Ukraine and missile defense development.

These exotic weapons systems—nuclear-powered cruise missiles and intercontinental torpedoes—represent novel approaches to nuclear delivery that circumvent traditional defenses. Whether they prove stabilizing through enhanced deterrence or destabilizing through arms race acceleration will become clearer as deployment proceeds and international responses crystallize over the coming year.

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