Russia is preparing for new tests of the nuclear-powered "Burevisnik"
Russia is likely preparing for a new series of tests of the “Burevestnik” nuclear-powered missile, which the West has dubbed the “flying Chernobyl.”
Satellite data and the activity of Russian military aircraft in the area of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, where the Pankovo test site is located, indicate preparations for the tests.
In late August, Russia began deploying aircraft used for telemetric tracking of missile launches to the Rogachovo airfield. An A-50U long-range early warning aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters for transporting troops to the test site were also spotted there.
At the same time, there was increased naval activity in the Barents and Kara Seas, where ships are deployed during “Burevisnik” tests. Russia also closed part of the airspace near Novaya Zemlya, issuing a corresponding NOTAM.
Late August traditionally marks the start of the period when Russia conducts tests of this missile. According to U.S. intelligence, most of the early “Burevestnik” tests ended in failure.
One of the most notorious incidents occurred in 2019, when an explosion took place during a test operation. Seven people were killed, including specialists from a Russian nuclear center.
Last year, the Kremlin also announced successful tests of the “Burevestnik.” Vladimir Putin called the missile “unique,” and Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, claimed that it allegedly flew 14,000 kilometers in 15 hours.
At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense did not release any video footage of the launch, and information regarding the success of the tests is based primarily on statements by Russian authorities.
Source: Barents Observer.
As a reminder, on the night of August 16, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a number of key military targets belonging to Russian forces in the temporarily occupied territories.
On the night of August 17, the Ukrainian military struck targets associated with the storage, preparation, and launch of attack drones, as well as their control systems, in Crimea and the Kherson region.
