Nuclear Test Ban Treaty at Risk; Putin Announces Successful Test of Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, announced on Thursday the "successful test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile" and warned that the Russian Duma might also approve the collapse of the "Nuclear Test Ban Treaty." In his speech, Putin stated that Russia has effectively completed the development of the Burostenik cruise missile and the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile. This announcement by Putin will heighten concerns about increasing nuclear tensions between Russia and the West. There is little information about the Burostenik cruise missile, but it is said to have a longer range and flight time compared to conventional cruise missiles. On the other hand, experts have questioned the reliability and safety of the Burostenik cruise missile. In 2019, an explosion during the testing of this missile killed seven people and caused a brief increase in radioactive contamination. Putin also stated that Russia does not need the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty for its nuclear tests and claimed that Russia is not a threat to the United States or other countries. Earlier this year, in February, the Russian President suspended Russia's commitment to the New START treaty, which limits the number of operational nuclear warheads of both countries. This treaty was signed in 2010 between Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, the then-presidents of the United States and Russia, and allows each party to have a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers, along with extensive on-site inspections to verify compliance. On Thursday, October 6, the U.S. Department of Defense updated its "Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Strategy" report, stating that Russia is identified as a "severe threat" and China as an "increasing threat." Dmitry Medvedev has threatened that Moscow may withdraw from the New START nuclear treaty. Joe Biden has accused Russia of attempting to interfere in next year's U.S. elections and expressed appreciation for Vladimir Putin's request to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The U.S. is proposing a five-year extension of a nuclear treaty to Russia.