Donald Trump criticises Vladimir Putin for testing Russia’s new nuclear-powered “Flying Chernobyl” missile.
US President Donald Trump on Monday (October 27) sharply criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin after Moscow announced a successful test of its new nuclear-powered cruise missile — the Burevestnik, also known as the “Flying Chernobyl.”
Trump called the announcement “inappropriate” and urged Putin to focus on ending the war in Ukraine instead of showcasing new weapons.
“He ought to get the (Ukraine) war ended,” Trump said while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. The US president, who has repeatedly promised to end the war quickly if re-elected, added, “A war that should have taken one week is now in its fourth year. That's what he (Putin) ought to do instead of testing missiles.”
On Sunday (October 26), Putin announced that Russia had completed the final test of the Burevestnik missile, calling it “a unique creation that no one else in the world possesses.”
According to Russia’s military chief of staff, Valery Gerasimov, the missile demonstrated remarkable endurance during its last test on October 21, flying for nearly 15 hours straight.
However, Gerasimov stated that even this duration was not the missile’s maximum limit. Powered by a nuclear engine, the Burevestnik theoretically has an unlimited range.
“The technical characteristics of the Burevestnik allow it to be used with guaranteed precision against highly protected sites located at any distance,” Gerasimov claimed.
The Burevestnik’s nickname, “Flying Chernobyl,” comes from fears surrounding its nuclear propulsion system, which poses major environmental and safety risks.
The missile was first revealed by Putin in 2018 as part of Russia’s next-generation strategic weapons program. It carries the NATO designation SSC-X-9 Skyfall.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the missile could have a potential range of up to 20,000 km (12,400 miles) — allowing it to reach almost any target across the globe.
Putin had earlier claimed that the Burevestnik could evade all existing missile defence systems, making it one of the most advanced and unpredictable weapons in Russia’s arsenal.
The missile test comes at a time when tensions between Russia and the West are already high due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Analysts believe the timing of this announcement is a signal of strength from Putin as he faces international isolation and domestic pressure.
Trump’s comments add another layer to the growing strain between Washington and Moscow. His statement underscores US concerns about a potential nuclear escalation in Europe and the revival of Cold War-style arms competition.
As one expert put it, Russia’s “Flying Chernobyl” may not just be a missile — it’s a message. A message that the global balance of power could be shifting once again.
