The nuclear-powered and nuclear-warned intercontinental cruise missile 9M730 Burevestnik is considered one of Russia’s most strategic weapons. The missile is known by NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall. US researchers have revealed the potential location of the new missile based on images taken by satellite company Planet Labs on July 26. Accordingly, it was determined that the missile is located in a construction project adjacent to a facility 475 km north of Moscow.
SATELLITE IMAGERY EXAMINED
Decker Eveleth, an analyst at research and analysis organization CNA, said satellite images show nine horizontal launch pads under construction. According to Eveleth, the launch pads are located in three groups inside high berms, creating a shield against attacks and preventing a possible explosion on one from detonating missiles on the others.
According to Eveleth, the site is being used for a “large, stationary missile system.” Eveleth also suggested that Skyfall is the only large, stationary missile system that Russia is currently developing.
THEY REMAINED SILENT ABOUT THE CLAIM
The Russian Defense Ministry and the Russian Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on Eveleth’s claim and the risks posed by the missile. A Kremlin spokesperson was also asked about the issue. The spokesperson, who referred the matter to the Defense Ministry, did not comment. The U.S. State Department, the CIA, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Air Force’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center also declined to comment.
HE COMMENTED THE IMAGES AS “UNIQUE”
Jeffrey Lewis, a researcher at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, confirmed Eveleth’s claim, saying the images “show something completely different, something completely unique. Of course we know that Russia is developing this nuclear-powered missile.”
“THIS WAY MISSILES CAN BE LAUNCHED QUICKLY”
But Lewis and Eveleth said that deploying the Burevestnik missile in Vologda would allow the Russian military to stockpile nuclear-armed missiles in its bunkers, which could then be launched quickly.
RUSSIA: WE CAN CHANGE THE RULES FOR THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia would change its rules on the use of nuclear weapons in response to what he sees as “the West’s escalation” in the war with Ukraine, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.
ONE OF RUSSIA’S MOST STRATEGIC WEAPONS
The nuclear-powered and nuclear-warned intercontinental cruise missile 9M730 Burevestnik is considered one of Russia’s most strategic weapons.