CNN: Russia Plans Test of Nuclear-Powered Missile
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- New satellite images obtained by CNN indicate Russia is preparing to resume test flights of its nuclear-powered cruise missile at a previously-dismantled launch site near the Arctic Circle, according to experts who have analyzed the photos.
The images, captured by Planet Labs in September, show high levels of activity at a site known as Pankovo, previously used by Russia to test its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, according to Michael Duitsman and Jeffrey Lewis, researchers at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
Russia appeared to pause testing of the missile after 2018, when it dismantled the launch site but "the new satellite photographs indicate that the pause is over,” they added.
"The activity and new construction are consistent with a resumption of test flights of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile,” Lewis and Duitsman wrote in a new report, noting that the images show Russia has rebuilt the site’s launch pad and reveal "large numbers of shipping containers at two support areas, including the probable missile checkout building.”
Russia conducted at least one test flight of the nuclear-powered cruise missile from the same site near the Arctic Circle in November 2017. It reportedly carried out multiple other tests in the months that followed, though none were considered to be successful, according to Lewis and Duitsman.
In March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin released a video of a nuclear-powered cruise missile test, which allowed open-source researchers including analysts at the Middlebury Institute to identify the location, they added.
Two U.S. officials told CNN that they are aware that Russia has been preparing to test missiles as part of its advanced weapons program.
Earlier this month, the Kremlin said it successfully test-fired a hypersonic cruise missile from a naval ship in the White Sea. And on Tuesday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense posted a video of Oniks cruise missile launch conducted from a military base in the Arctic.
Evidence that Russia may now be preparing to resume testing of its nuclear powered cruise-missile comes as Washington and Moscow are working to extend the New START treaty, a key arms control agreement that is set to expire in coming months.
The top U.S. negotiator, Marshall Billingslea, suggested in a tweet Friday that talks between the two countries had reached an impasse.
But on Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it is willing to agree to freeze its nuclear arsenals in order to extend New START if the U.S. does not pose any other requirements -- an offer that the State Department spokesperson welcomed with urgency saying the U.S. is "prepared to meet immediately to finalize a verifiable agreement.”
The images, captured by Planet Labs in September, show high levels of activity at a site known as Pankovo, previously used by Russia to test its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, according to Michael Duitsman and Jeffrey Lewis, researchers at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
Russia appeared to pause testing of the missile after 2018, when it dismantled the launch site but "the new satellite photographs indicate that the pause is over,” they added.
"The activity and new construction are consistent with a resumption of test flights of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile,” Lewis and Duitsman wrote in a new report, noting that the images show Russia has rebuilt the site’s launch pad and reveal "large numbers of shipping containers at two support areas, including the probable missile checkout building.”
Russia conducted at least one test flight of the nuclear-powered cruise missile from the same site near the Arctic Circle in November 2017. It reportedly carried out multiple other tests in the months that followed, though none were considered to be successful, according to Lewis and Duitsman.
In March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin released a video of a nuclear-powered cruise missile test, which allowed open-source researchers including analysts at the Middlebury Institute to identify the location, they added.
Two U.S. officials told CNN that they are aware that Russia has been preparing to test missiles as part of its advanced weapons program.
Earlier this month, the Kremlin said it successfully test-fired a hypersonic cruise missile from a naval ship in the White Sea. And on Tuesday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense posted a video of Oniks cruise missile launch conducted from a military base in the Arctic.
Evidence that Russia may now be preparing to resume testing of its nuclear powered cruise-missile comes as Washington and Moscow are working to extend the New START treaty, a key arms control agreement that is set to expire in coming months.
The top U.S. negotiator, Marshall Billingslea, suggested in a tweet Friday that talks between the two countries had reached an impasse.
But on Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it is willing to agree to freeze its nuclear arsenals in order to extend New START if the U.S. does not pose any other requirements -- an offer that the State Department spokesperson welcomed with urgency saying the U.S. is "prepared to meet immediately to finalize a verifiable agreement.”