A pair of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology believe they have cracked the mystery of how Russia’s Burevestnik missile actually works — and what they found is deeply concerning.
The two scientists conducted an analysis of the nuclear-powered weapon, which has been dubbed “Skyfall” by Western military observers. Their conclusion: the missile is both radioactively contaminating and poses serious dangers.
The Burevestnik is a nuclear-powered cruise missile that Russia has been developing as part of its advanced weapons program. Unlike conventional missiles, it relies on a nuclear reactor for propulsion, which raises significant questions about the radiation it leaves behind during flight.
The MIT researchers’ findings shed new light on the risks associated with the weapon, suggesting that its operation could spread radioactive contamination along its flight path — making it a hazard not just as a weapon, but as a source of nuclear pollution.
