Russia appears to be preparing another test launch of a nuclear-powered cruise missile, according to multiple Polish news outlets, including Bankier.pl. The reports, published Wednesday, point to recent activity at a Russian weapons test range and restricted areas in the Barents Sea.
Bankier.pl reports that Moscow is gearing up for another trial of the missile, which is known as the Burevestnik (or "Petrel") in Russian service. The outlet, along with WP Wiadomości and Interia Wydarzenia, notes that authorities have closed off part of the Barents Sea, a step typically taken ahead of a launch. TVP Info adds that the missile itself may already be in transit to the test site.
The Burevestnik is a long-range cruise missile designed to be powered by a small nuclear reactor, giving it a virtually unlimited range. Western analysts have tracked its development for years, and previous tests have been conducted at a nuclear test range on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, which sits at the eastern edge of the Barents Sea. The exact location of the upcoming test has not been confirmed, but the closures suggest a launch could happen in the near future.
This would not be the first test of the weapon, but it comes at a time of heightened military tension between Russia and NATO. The missile has been a point of concern for Western defense officials due to the potential for a nuclear accident during flight or on the ground.
What to watch next: whether Russia announces the test or releases footage, and how Western defense agencies respond to the launch.
