Russia's President Vladimir Putin this weekend reported the successful final test of a new nuclear-powered cruise missile, the Burevestnik, amid Moscow's ongoing war in Ukraine.

Experts say the very-long-range weapon aims to skirt Western air defences with its terrain-hugging and low-flying capabilities, but its strategic impact is likely to remain limited for now.

How does it work?

Putin announced the development of the missiles in 2018, well before Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and declared a successful final test on Sunday.

Unlike classic missiles that are propelled by chemical fuel, the Burevestnik -- or "storm bird" in Russian -- uses a nuclear reactor.

The reactor heats the ambient air and expels it at high speed to generate thrust, said Amaury Dufay, an expert at France's

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