Trump Warns Putin Over Russian Nuclear Missile Test Amid Escalating War Tensions

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/BUDAPEST/KYIV (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump warned Russia’s leader, Vladimir Putin, on Monday that the United States has “a nuclear submarine off your shore” as he condemned a Russian nuclear cruise missile test as “inappropriate.”

Putin said Russia had successfully tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, a nuclear-capable weapon Moscow says can pierce any defence shield, in a move that has infuriated Washington.

Moscow stated that the Burevestnik, officially known as the 9M730 Burevestnik (Storm Petrel) missile, and dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by the NATO military alliance, is “invincible” to current and future missile defences, with an almost unlimited range and unpredictable flight path.

It flew approximately 14,000 km (8,700 miles) during its test, according to Russia’s top general.

President Trump described the test as “not appropriate,” telling reporters aboard his Air Force One plane that missile testing should not overshadow an end to the Russian war in Ukraine, which he said “should have taken one week.”

He added: “They [Russia] know we have a nuclear submarine … the greatest in the world, right off their shores, so I mean, it doesn’t have to go 8,000 miles.”

RUSSIA’S WARNING

However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would continue to act based on its national interests, adding that there is “nothing here that can or should strain relations between Moscow and Washington.”

The developments came while officials said Russian air defences shot down dozens of Ukrainian drones heading from Ukraine to Moscow and downed almost 160 more over other regions in attacks that killed at least one and injured five others.

Nearly four years into the deadliest land war in Europe since World War II, Russia is trying to smash Ukraine’s energy system while Kyiv is trying to knock out the oil refineries of the world’s second-largest oil exporter.

Yet the missile test and U.S. submarine warning highlighted escalating nuclear-era rhetoric surrounding the armed conflict in Ukraine, which reportedly killed and injured more than a million people on both sides.

Russia says the Burevestnik is a “unique product … unlike anything else in the world,” capable of penetrating any defence shield. Western analysts remain sceptical of its reliability and safety. The Kremlin confirmed Monday that the test took place earlier in October and that preparations are under way to expand Russia’s nuclear arsenal, including hypersonic and underwater delivery systems.

President Trump urged Russia to “stop spending resources on dangerous missiles” and “focus on peace in Ukraine.” He reiterated that a ceasefire could be reached “within days” if both Moscow and Kyiv agreed to direct talks under U.S. mediation.

In Washington, the Pentagon said it was “closely monitoring” the situation but noted that “no imminent threat” had been detected to the U.S. homeland.

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