Scientists at MIT say they have pieced together the mechanics behind one of Russia’s most mysterious weapons — a nuclear-powered cruise missile that has raised serious concerns among defense analysts worldwide.
The missile, called Burevestnik in Russian and referred to by NATO as “Skyfall,” was captured on video being launched from a Russian island in the Arctic Circle on October 21, 2025. The footage, released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, showed the weapon in action for the first time in a widely seen format.
According to the MIT researchers, the missile is powered by a compact nuclear reactor — a propulsion concept that is as dangerous as it sounds. One analyst summed up the findings bluntly, saying the weapon is “almost certainly a terrible idea” — but then added a sobering caveat: “But it’s not an impossible idea.”
The concern surrounding Skyfall goes beyond its destructive potential as a weapon. A nuclear-powered missile would leave a trail of radioactive exhaust during flight, making it hazardous not just at the point of impact but along its entire flight path. That combination of long range and radioactive risk is what makes the weapon particularly alarming to weapons experts.
