Experts Warn Russia’s Burevestnik Missile Could Destabilise

Published: 28 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Experts have expressed growing concern over Russia’s Burevestnik missile, describing it as a weapon that could disrupt international arms control frameworks and exacerbate global tensions. “This is a bad development,” Mr Lewis told The New York Times. “It is one more science fiction weapon that is going to be destabilising and hard to address in arms control.”

Despite Moscow’s claims of the missile’s strategic potential, many analysts question its effectiveness on the battlefield. Due to technical complexities and multiple reported test failures, the Burevestnik is widely considered more of a psychological threat than a practical military asset. Its primary significance may lie in how it influences global perceptions of Russian military capability, as well as Moscow’s leverage in future nuclear arms negotiations.

Dr. Sidharth Kaushal, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, described the missile as highly experimental and prone to failure. “As demonstrated by several test failures, it is a very complex and thus error-prone means of delivering a nuclear payload,” he said. These limitations underline the challenges of deploying such an advanced system in a real conflict, where reliability is critical.

Despite these uncertainties, the missile may serve as a bargaining chip for Russia in upcoming arms control discussions. The New Start treaty, which currently limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads, is set to expire in February next year. Experts suggest that Moscow could use the Burevestnik as leverage in negotiations, demonstrating technological capability while potentially strengthening its position in discussions over treaty renewal or revision.

The missile’s development has already come at a tragic human cost. Five scientists who worked on the project were killed during testing incidents. In a symbolic gesture, President Vladimir Putin awarded medals to their families, underscoring the perceived importance of the program to the Kremlin. These fatalities serve as a reminder of the risks involved in working with experimental nuclear technologies, even outside the context of war.

While the Burevestnik has not been deployed in combat, its potential consequences are significant. Should it ever be used, analysts warn that Russian casualties could rise, and the geopolitical risks associated with nuclear weapons deployment would intensify dramatically. Even if it remains untested in warfare, the missile represents a form of nuclear brinkmanship, with psychological and strategic implications that extend far beyond its immediate capabilities.

The emergence of such weapons has reignited debate over arms control and global security. Experts caution that new, unconventional technologies can undermine existing frameworks, complicating monitoring and enforcement of international treaties. The missile’s unpredictable nature and the secrecy surrounding its development raise questions about transparency, compliance, and the effectiveness of current verification mechanisms.

Analysts have also highlighted the symbolic role of the Burevestnik. By publicly testing and showcasing the missile, Moscow signals to both domestic and international audiences that it possesses advanced, potentially game-changing military technologies. This demonstration may serve as a deterrent or as leverage in diplomatic negotiations, even if the weapon’s operational utility remains limited.

Moreover, the Burevestnik illustrates the technological arms race underway in nuclear-capable states. Its development involves complex engineering challenges, including propulsion, guidance, and nuclear payload delivery systems. Each test represents a high-stakes attempt to validate these capabilities, but repeated failures indicate the inherent difficulty of creating reliable, next-generation nuclear weapons. The missile’s existence reflects broader trends in modern military strategy, where technological prestige can influence geopolitical leverage as much as actual combat performance.

International reactions to the Burevestnik have been cautious but critical. Policymakers and security experts emphasise the need for renewed dialogue and transparency in nuclear arms discussions. Countries around the world are concerned that the deployment of experimental weapons could destabilise the delicate balance maintained by existing treaties and provoke an arms buildup or escalation in tensions.

Dr. Kaushal emphasised that the Burevestnik’s operational limitations do not diminish its strategic impact. “It may be viewed as a bargaining chip,” he said, with Moscow potentially hoping to incorporate the missile into broader discussions on arms control, including future treaty negotiations and global nuclear policy. In essence, the missile’s psychological and diplomatic significance could outweigh its actual battlefield effectiveness.

In conclusion, while the Burevestnik remains technically unproven and prone to error, its broader implications for global security are substantial. The missile underscores the challenges faced by policymakers in managing nuclear competition, balancing technological advancement with safety, and maintaining effective arms control mechanisms. Even without deployment in conflict, the weapon represents a new dimension in nuclear strategy: one where perception, leverage, and deterrence play as critical a role as operational capability.

As the world watches closely, the Burevestnik serves as a reminder of the evolving complexity of modern nuclear weapons development. The fatalities among its developers, repeated test failures, and potential for strategic leverage illustrate the high stakes involved in next-generation nuclear programs. For now, it remains a symbol of both innovation and risk, highlighting the urgent need for careful monitoring, international dialogue, and robust arms control frameworks.