Thread | Brutkey

#Russia appears to be preparing to test its new #nuclear-armed, nuclear-powered cruise #missile, acc/to 2 US researchers & a Western #security source, even as #Putin readies for talks on #Ukraine with #Trump on Friday.

Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies & Decker Eveleth of the CNA research & analysis org reached their assessments separately by studying imagery taken in recent weeks until Tues by Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-appears-ready-test-new-missile-he-prepares-trump-talks-researchers-say-2025-08-13/

Nonilex
@Nonilex@masto.ai

They agreed the photos showed extensive activity at the Pankovo test site on the Barents Sea archipelago of Novaya Zemlya, including increases in personnel & equipment & ships & aircraft associated with earlier tests of the 9M730 Burevestnik (Storm Petrel).

"We can see all of the activity at the test site, which is both huge amounts of supplies coming in to support operations and movement at the place where they actually launch the #missile," Lewis said.

#Russia #nuclear #Putin #Trump #Ukraine

Nonilex
@Nonilex@masto.ai

A Western #security source, who asked not to be further identified, confirmed that #Russia is preparing a #Burevestnik test.

Lewis said a test could occur this week, raising the possibility it could overshadow the #Trump - #Putin summit in Alaska.

…Putin has said the weapon - dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by NATO - is "invincible" to current & future #missile defenses, with an almost unlimited range & unpredictable flight path.

#nuclear #Ukraine