• Russia successfully tested the Burevestnik missile, claiming it has an "unlimited range."
• Trump criticized the missile test, stating it distracts from the need to end the Ukraine war.
• The Burevestnik missile is said to be capable of evading current defense systems.

On October 21, Russia conducted a test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, which President Vladimir Putin heralded as having an "unlimited range" and the capability to evade any missile defense system. The test reportedly lasted around 15 hours, covering 14,000 kilometers (approximately 8,700 miles), with Russia asserting that it could deliver atomic bombs globally, according to Indiatimes and The Hill.

In response to the test, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly condemned the action as “not appropriate,” emphasizing the need for Putin to prioritize ending the Ukraine conflict over missile testing. He highlighted that the ongoing war, which he described as one that "should have taken one week," is now approaching its fourth year. Trump reiterated that the U.S. maintains a nuclear submarine just off Russia's coast, thereby negating the need for such distant missile tests, according to Indiatimes and Reuters.

The Burevestnik missile, also designated by NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, has been branded as a “unique weapon” that no other country possesses, according to Putin. This testing period is viewed as a clear indication of Russia's determination to showcase its military capabilities despite ongoing international tensions surrounding its aggression in Ukraine. Analysts highlight that the missile's development may provoke further global security concerns, as its nuclear propulsion system presents both operational and environmental risks, as noted by Indiatimes and The Hill.

With the Kremlin asserting that its missile tests serve to reinforce national security, officials express a lack of concern about strained relations with the U.S. over the test. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that Russia would continue to act in accordance with its national interests despite international scrutiny. This positioning underscores the ongoing clash in narratives between Russia and the West surrounding military actions and diplomatic engagements, according to Reuters.