Russia May Test Nex-Gen Nuclear Weapon, Says Putin

Vladimir Putin on Thursday declined to rule out the possibility that Russia could carry out weapons tests involving nuclear explosions for the first time in more than three decades.

He informed that Russia for the first time successfully tested the Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable cruise missile with a potential range of many thousands of miles.

He also told an annual gathering of analysts and journalists that Russia had almost completed work on its Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile system, another key element of its new generation of nuclear weapons.

Russia has not conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion since 1990, the year before the collapse of the Soviet Union. But Putin declined to rule out the possibility it could resume such testing.

Military analysts say a resumption of nuclear testing by Russia, the United States or both would escalate the tension between the two countries.

Responding to a question regarding the possibility of nuclear strikes against European countries – Putin said: “I simply don’t see the need for this.”