Ukraine-Russia War Latest: Putin Bombards Kyiv after ‘Invincible’ Nuclear-capable Missile Test
By Arpan Rai, Bryony Gooch
Putin boasts of ‘unique’ missile while dressed up in combat fatigues for meeting with generals
Russian president Vladimir Putin said his country has tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, which he says can “pierce any defence shield”.
The 9M730 Burevestnik, dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by Nato, is “invincible” to current and future missile defences, Moscow said, adding that it has an almost unlimited range and unpredictable flight path.
“It is a unique ware which nobody else in the world has,” said Putin, dressed in camouflage fatigues at a meeting with generals overseeing the war in Ukraine, in remarks released yesterday, claiming its “crucial testing” had been concluded.
Russia’s top general Valery Gerasimov told Putin that the missile travelled 14,000 km and was in the air for about 15 hours when it was tested on 21 October.
Meanwhile, Moscow was forced to close two airports overnight as Russian air defences responded to a major Ukrainian drone attack.
In the Bryansk region, one person was killed and five others were injured when a Ukrainian drone struck a minibus. Russia said it downed almost 200 drones, including 34 targeting its capital.
