Putin reveals test details of ‘invincible’ nuclear-powered missile amid WW3 fears

Vladimir Putin has warned of the capabilities of a new missile in development in Russia.

The Russian president claimed that the new missile is nuclear-powered and capable of carrying a nuclear payload. He also warned that it could be used to confound existing defences and could be deployed in the military.

Putin donned combat fatigues to meet with Russian military figures in a video released by the Kremlin. Among those meeting Putin was General Valery Gerasimov, Russia's chief of general staff, who updated Putin on the new missile.

This is the Burevestnik missile, a cruise missile which is currently under development by the Russian military.

The Burevestnik will be capable of carrying a nuclear payload and has an advantage over the larger Intercontinental Ballistic Missile in that it is low-flying, making it more difficult to detect on radar.

Vladimir Putin was taking part in Russian drills (Contributor/Getty Images)

A cruise missile is a self-propelled, guided missile used to deliver large payloads over long distances with very precise accuracy. But the disadvantage of a cruise missile compared to an ICBM is its shorter range, limited by its fuel capacity.

The Burevestnik aims to overcome that disadvantage by being nuclear-powered, potentially making its range effectively unlimited.

The 73-year-old described the missile as 'invincible', adding in his statement that it is a 'unique ware which nobody else in the world has.'

Gerasimov told the Russian leader that the new missile, nicknamed 'Skyfall' by NATO, had been tested and had covered around 8,700 miles (14,000 kilometers) during a test on Tuesday.

During the test, the Burevestnik, which means Storm Petrel in Russian, spent around 15 hours in the air, with Gerasimov adding: "That’s not the limit."

Putin reportedly said to Gerasimov (via The Independent): “We need to determine the possible uses and begin preparing the infrastructure for deploying these weapons to our armed forces."

Putin outlined the missile's capabilities (Contributor/Getty Images)

Wednesday saw Putin directing drills of Russia's strategic nuclear forces, which included practice missile launches, as a planned summit between Putin, Donald Trump, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy was postponed.

Strategic nuclear forces refer to the larger weapons in an arsenal which might be used to target infrastructure and cities if the worst were to happen.

This is distinct from a tactical nuclear weapon, which is a smaller weapon designed for deployment on the battlefield.

The Kremlin has claimed that the exercises included every part of Russia's 'nuclear triad', and that ICBMs were test-fired from facilities in Northwestern Russia, as well as a submarine in the Barents Sea.

In addition, the drill also included Tu-95 strategic bombers, which fired long-range cruise missiles.