Russia set to test 'unstoppable doomsday' nuclear missile as fears of WW3 surge

Russia is reportedly preparing to carry out a new test of its doomsday nuclear-powered missile, as fears continue to grow that the Kremlin is preparing for a major war with Nato. Satellite imagery and activity at the Pankovo test range on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago suggest renewed preparations for a launch of the 9M730 Burevestnik.

At least four Russian vessels, previously anchored near the test site, have moved into observation positions in the eastern Barents Sea. The manoeuvre is a standard safety measure during large missile trials, according to military experts. Russian aviation authorities also issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) covering 40,000 square kilometres over Novaya Zemlya.

The notification went active at 9 pm UTC on Thursday and is valid until Tuesday evening next week.

In recent weeks, cargo ships have made multiple stops at Novaya Zemlya, suggesting logistical operations. Moreover, two specialised Rosatom surveillance planes have been spotted at airfields on the archipelago - another sign of planned testing.

The development of the Burevestnik was announced by Vladimir Putin in 2018 and is one of Russia's next-generation strategic weapons.

Nicknamed the "flying Chernobyl", it uses a nuclear-powered engine to achieve unlimited range.

In theory, the nuclear armed missile is able to loiter in flight waiting for a strike order, then approach its target via unexpected routes. The Russians believe that the missile will be therefore impossible to intercept by air defence systems.

A US Air Force WC-135R Constant Phoenix aircraft - equipped to detect radioactive emissions - carried out a reconnaissance mission in the area, further fuelling speculation of an impending test.

The aircraft took off from RAF Mildenhall in the UK and spent approximately 14 hours over the Barents Sea, near the Murmansk coast and west of Novaya Zemlya - according to FlightRadar.

As of October 2023, US intelligence assessed that Russia had attempted 13 Burevestnik test flights, none of which demonstrated sustained success.

The longest recorded flight reportedly lasted two minutes, covering no more than 35 kilometres.