The Russian president announced the successful test of a nuclear-powered SSC-X-9 Skyfall global-range cruise missile

Foreign media were right when they wrote about Russian activity indicating a test of a nuclear-powered missile. The test was announced the day before by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Here's What We Know

The missile in question is the SSC-X-9 Skyfall intercontinental ballistic missile, which is also known as the Burevestnik. According to the Russian president, it was the last successful test of a weapon equipped with a nuclear propulsion system.

The SSC-X-9 Skyfall cruise missile was announced in the spring of 2018. In addition to a nuclear propulsion system, it can carry a nuclear warhead. The maximum launch range exceeds 20,000 kilometres.

According to US officials, the Russians have failed 13 launches of the cruise missile. Despite a range of more than 20,000 kilometres, the missile failed to fly even 40 kilometres during these tests. Moreover, during one of the tests in 2019, an explosion caused seven deaths.