Norway Confirms Russia’s Nuclear-Powered Missile Test from Arctic Site

Norway’s military intelligence agency has confirmed that Russia conducted a test launch of its nuclear-powered long-range cruise missile, Burevestnik, from the Arctic archipelago of Novaya Zemlya last week. The weapon, known by its NATO designation SSC-X-9 Skyfall, is touted by Moscow as capable of evading any existing defense systems.

Russia had announced on Sunday that the 9M730 Burevestnik, also called the “Storm Petrel,” was successfully tested, but did not disclose the location of the launch. The confirmation from Norway marks the first independent verification of where the test occurred, shedding light on a development that has raised security concerns among NATO members.

Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensoenes, head of Norway’s Intelligence Service, said in an emailed statement to Reuters that his agency had verified the launch site at Novaya Zemlya. The Arctic region has long been used by Russia for weapons testing, underscoring its growing military focus in the polar areas amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

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