Russia's New Nuclear-Powered Weapons Intensify Global Strategic Instability

Analysis Warns of Eroding Strategic Stability

A recent analysis, published on January 21, 2026, indicates that the development and deployment of new nuclear-powered weapons by the Russian Federation are severely straining the international system of strategic stability. The report highlights that these advanced systems, specifically the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle, are being utilized by Moscow to seek concessions in ongoing arms control negotiations.

Russia's Novel Nuclear Capabilities: Burevestnik and Poseidon

The two weapons at the center of these concerns are the 9M730 Burevestnik (NATO reporting name: SSC-X-9 Skyfall) and the Poseidon (NATO reporting name: Kanyon). Both systems are distinguished by their nuclear propulsion, granting them potentially unlimited range.

• The Burevestnik is a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described it as a 'unique product, which no one in the world has'. A successful test flight was reportedly conducted on October 21, 2025, with the missile flying approximately 14,000 kilometers for 15 hours. Its design aims to evade air defenses and attack from unexpected directions. Concerns have been raised by American officials regarding its 'radiation-spewing' nature due to an open-cycle reactor, leading to nicknames like 'flying Chernobyl' due to the risk of radioactive isotopes along its flight path.
• The Poseidon is an autonomous, nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) or drone. It is designed to strike naval vessels or coastal targets with either conventional or nuclear warheads. President Putin confirmed a successful test on October 28, 2025, noting the successful launch of its nuclear power unit. The Poseidon is estimated to be between 20 to 24 meters long with a diameter of 1.6 to 2 meters, capable of high speeds (55-100 knots or 100-185 km/h) and operating at depths of up to 1,000 meters, making it difficult to detect. It is intended as an asymmetric counter to U.S. missile defense systems and can carry multi-megaton warheads, potentially generating radioactive tsunamis. Russia reportedly plans to procure at least 30 Poseidons, to be carried by specialized submarines such as the Belgorod and Khabarovsk.

Erosion of Strategic Stability

The development of these weapons is largely seen by Russia as a direct response to the United States' withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in 2002. Unlike traditional strategic weapons, the Burevestnik and Poseidon are not covered by existing arms control agreements, including the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). This exemption from established limits on deployed strategic warheads, such as New START's 1,550-warhead cap, allows Russia to expand its nuclear capabilities outside of verifiable frameworks.

Implications for Arms Control Negotiations

The impending expiration of the New START treaty on February 5, 2026, further exacerbates concerns. Without a successor agreement, the world's two largest nuclear powers would operate without any caps on their deployed nuclear weapons, raising the specter of a new, destabilizing arms race. Moscow's development of these 'unique' systems is perceived as a means to gain a military advantage and leverage in future arms control discussions. Analysts suggest these systems serve as political tools to pressure Western nations, particularly concerning support for Ukraine, by amplifying fears of nuclear escalation. This shift indicates a potential move from symmetric mutually assured destruction (MAD) to asymmetric 'escalate to de-escalate' doctrines, complicating the global security landscape.