As reported by Reuters on August 13, Russia appears to be preparing to test its nuclear-powered cruise missile, the 9M730 Burevestnik—known to NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall—just days before President Vladimir Putin is set to meet US President Donald Trump for talks on Ukraine, according to satellite imagery reviewed by US researchers.
Analysts Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute and Decker Eveleth of CNA independently studied recent satellite images from Planet Labs showing increased activity at the Pankovo test site in Novaya Zemlya. The site has previously hosted tests of the Burevestnik, a missile Putin has described as “invincible” due to its long range and unpredictable flight path.
Imagery also reveals the arrival of specialized aircraft, ships, and equipment linked to earlier tests. Notices issued by Russia suggest a possible launch window between August 9 and 22. The Norwegian military told Reuters in an email that the Barents Sea is a "prime location for Russian missile tests" and that it had indications from notices and maritime warnings of "preparations for test activities."
The timing of the possible test could add tension to the upcoming summit in Alaska as it makes headlines in media outlets around the world.
Currently, the global stockpile exceeds 13,000 nuclear weapons, and most of today’s arsenal is significantly more powerful than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In this gallery, we go through the countries that possess the largest number of nuclear weapons. Click through to learn more.