Two U.S. analysts saw on satellite images a location from which nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missiles could be launched in the future. Theoretically, there is no limit to their range. In practice, however, no one is sure if they can really fly properly.
Possible launch pad for Russian missiles
Two American independent researchers recently announced that they had found a site in Russia from which advanced nuclear cruise missiles would be launched in the future. We are talking about the 9M370 Burevestnik, which not only can carry a nuclear warhead, but also has an engine powered by the nuclear fission reaction.
In their study, the experts based on satellite images taken back on July 26 by a private company Planet Labs. They show a wooded area in the Vologda Oblast about 450 kilometers north of Moscow.
This place is well known to all military analysts as Vologda-20 or Chebsara. It is the site of a large storage facility for Russian nuclear warheads. However, this time the experts saw something new — a construction site, and it seemed extremely suspicious to them and concluded that it was a future launching pad for the Burevestnik missiles.
The experts saw five missile storage bunkers and, as it appeared to them, nine horizontal launchers assembled three by three in structures that should protect them from explosions and weather.
Could it really be a Burevestnik launcher?
According to experts, it cannot be anything other than a fixed launcher for cruise missiles. And the only Russian program of such scale that it is worth building such a facility for its protection is the 9M370 Burevestnik, which NATO designates as SSC-X-9 Skyfall.
However, other experts doubt that this is really a missile base. The fact is that the Russians usually don’t build them next to the missile storage facilities, making it impossible for an attack to destroy both in a single strike.
It is noted that it is impossible to rule out that these are actually the launchers of Burevestnik. After all, this location, besides the disadvantages, provides Russians with a number of advantages. After all, given this location, they can launch cruise missiles very quickly.
What is Burevestnik and should we be afraid of it?
The 9M370 Burevestnik is a cruise missile that Russia has been officially developing since 2016. Structurally, it differs little from the ones the Russian army has been bombarding Ukrainian cities with for many months now. The whole difference lies in the engine. Instead of a liquid propulsion system using aviation fuel, these vehicles use a nuclear reactor.
According to this, it is possible to achieve an unlimited launch range of the missile. As long as the reactor is working, it can fly even to the United States from Vologda. But there is one point: since 2016, Russia has carried out 13 tests of the Burevestnik. And only two of them can be called partially successful. Whether it is really such a powerful weapon is unknown, but Putin has already rewarded the developers. Survivors of the 2019 accident.
However, the United States assesses the threat posed by the new weapons with restraint. After all, it is neither faster nor more maneuverable than what Russia already had. Therefore, it does not provide any new capabilities to overcome the U.S. missile defense system. In addition, it is considered a very stupid weapon.
The engine of the Burevestnik creates a considerable radioactive “exhaust”. And in case of an accident, it can contaminate a considerable territory, which may even belong to Russia or its ally. That’s why this weapon is considered more of a political weapon that will be used for blackmail and negotiations.
According to nypost.com
