Sochi, 6 October 2023 (TDI): The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin at the plenary session of the 20th meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club announced the successful testing of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile.
The plenary session of the 20th meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club took place on October 5, in Sochi.
The topic for the 20th meeting was “Fair multipolarity: how to ensure security and development for all.”
During the plenary session, President Putin spoke on the issues of Western domination, Russia’s nuclear and military doctrine, and nuclear threats, and announced the testing of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile.
On speaking over the West, President Putin delineated, “Western influence in the world is a huge military-financial pyramid. It constantly needs new fuel to support itself: natural, technological, and human resources belonging to others. Therefore, the West simply cannot stop and did not intend to do so.”
In correspondence, he stated, “It’s time to finally get rid of this thinking of the era of colonial rule. I would like to say: wipe your eyes! This era is long over and will never return.”
Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile Test
The Russian President then transitioned to speak on Russia’s nuclear and military doctrine where he explicated that Russia has completed its work on the modern types of strategic weapons.
Followed by that he announced, “We have successfully tested the Burevestnik, a global range nuclear-powered cruise missile.”
Furthermore, he highlighted that Russia has been successful in terms of nuclear deterrence as it has also completed work on the Sarmat missile and will soon launch its mass production and put it on combat duty along with the Burevestnik missile.
In further speaking on nuclear doctrine and threats against Russia, President Putin stated that there is no need to change the national nuclear doctrine as Russia’s retaliatory strike following a nuclear attack by a potential aggressor will leave the enemy with no chance of survival.
“No one in their right mind and clear memory would think of using nuclear weapons against Russia.”, President Putin added.
He also stated that there stands no need to carry out nuclear tests but in theory, Russia could take a tit-for-tat approach as the US failed to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty.
“However, it is up to members of the State to decide.”, President Putin added.
Development of Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile
The program to develop the Burevestnik was announced by Putin in March 2018 as part of a broader initiative to develop a new generation of intercontinental and hypersonic missiles.
Among them were the Kinzhal ballistic missile and the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle.
Also read: Ukraine-Russia War: Risks of Nuclear disaster in Europe
President Putin in March 2018 stated that the goal was to ensure a strategic balance in the world for decades to come, including the Burevestnik and Sarmat missiles.
Speaking on the Burevestnik missile in 2018, President Putin stated, “It’s a low-flying, stealth cruise missile with a nuclear warhead with a practically unlimited range, unpredictable flight path and the ability to bypass interception lines is invulnerable to all existing and future missile defense and air defense systems.”
The 9M730 Burevestnik was one of the six Russian strategic “super weapons,” unveiled by President Putin in 2018.
){kind=link}