(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has responded to Russia’s recent test of its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, emphasizing that “Washington and Moscow are not playing games” when it comes to nuclear deterrence.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked whether he considered the Russian announcement as saber-rattling. “They are not playing games with us. We are not playing games with them either. We test missiles all the time,” he replied.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that the Burevestnik—a nuclear-powered cruise missile with virtually unlimited range—successfully completed a key flight trial. President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the test by Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov during a meeting with senior military officials.

Trump also referred to his decision to position two US nuclear submarines closer to Russian waters, commenting, “we don’t need to go 8,000 miles,” the approximate distance the Russian missile reportedly traveled during testing. He further criticized the timing of the test, stating that it was not “appropriate,” and adding, “A war that should have taken one week is now in its soon fourth year. That’s what [Putin] ought to do instead of testing missiles.”

The Burevestnik is powered by a miniature nuclear reactor and is designed to remain in flight for extended periods, potentially months, while striking from unpredictable trajectories. Russian authorities have said the missile will enhance their strategic deterrent once operational. Gerasimov indicated that the latest trial involved flight maneuvers intended to test the missile’s ability to evade interception. The system is reportedly smaller and less expensive than traditional intercontinental ballistic missiles, which rely on suborbital launches to deliver their payloads.

MENAFN27102025000045017281ID1110251833