РУССКИЙ
16:17 05.11.2025 •
Photo: Kremlin.ru
On National Unity Day, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a ceremony at the Kremlin to present state decorations to the designers of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon unmanned submersible.
The Kremlin, Moscow. November 4, 2025
President of Russia Vladimir Putin:
Friends.
First of all, congratulations on National Unity Day. This holiday reminds us of the glorious pages in the history of our Fatherland, the importance of our unity, the succession of generations, and our responsibility for Russia’s fate.
Today at the Kremlin, we are honouring the people who have exemplified commendable service to our Motherland and have made a significant contribution to ensuring its security and defence capability, as well as strengthening its scientific and industrial potential and technological self-reliance.
Well-deserved state decorations will be awarded to the designers of the Burevestnik strategic unlimited-range cruise missile with a nuclear engine and to the designers of the Poseidon unmanned submersible.
I want to thank you and all the research and development teams – tens of thousands of people who participated in developing this powerful, effective and unique weapon.
It will be no exaggeration to say that the result you have achieved is of historic importance for our nation and for ensuring our security and strategic parity for decades to come — in fact, for the rest of the 21st century.
Burevestnik has surpassed all other known missiles in the world in terms of range. It also boasts high precision, achieved steadily within a pre-calculated timeframe.
I believe foreign specialists were able to learn about these characteristics first-hand since during the testing of Burevestnik on October 21, a NATO reconnaissance vessel was continuously present in the trial zone. We did not interfere with its operation. They were allowed to watch.
I want to highlight the unique mode of powerful ultra-small nuclear reactors in this missile. Their launch takes seconds, whereas regular reactors take hours or even a whole day.
On the basis of such power systems, we are already developing a new generation of weapons. Moreover, we have launched the development of next-generation nuclear-powered cruise missiles. Their speed will be more than three times the speed of sound. Subsequently, they will become hypersonic. We have recently discussed this project with some of our colleagues present here in this hall.
The Poseidon project was also closely linked to the creation of Burevestnik. They rely on what can largely be described as unique and complementary technology and innovation.
Of course, Poseidon’s developers had their own specific tasks for operating a submarine system. I am referring to using cutting-edge materials, nodes and components that a device of this kind needs to enable it to be faster and go deeper, up to 1,000 metres. As for the speed, it is several times faster compared to all the latest above-water vessels.
What I want to stress is that these technological breakthroughs do not come out of nowhere. It goes without saying that they represent the work and talent of many generations of our compatriots who started this research in the second half of the 20th century and persisted in their dedicated efforts.
Of course, we have also succeeded in developing other super-complex systems similar to Burevestnik and Poseidon, which demonstrates that research institutions, universities and schools, manufacturers and the economy as a whole have immense potential and opportunities in today’s world.
Let me make an important point. As I have already said, Burevestnik and Poseidon rely exclusively on domestically manufactured materials. In fact, a major effort to promote cooperation, involving many thousands of people, as I have already said, enabled us to create a real treasure trove of new materials, technologies, unmanned devices, software and digital solutions, and elements of the components base. By putting them to use, we can achieve breakthroughs not only in defence manufacturing, but also in many civilian sectors while carrying out multiple priority national projects and programmes.
This includes building small nuclear reactors for powering the Arctic zone and exploring near and deeper space, including powering the spacecraft we are developing right now for delivering heavy payloads. This could also be used in the future for the base on the Moon too.
By operating based on new principles and algorithms, the Poseidon project can facilitate efforts to improve unmanned devices, while also helping develop shipbuilding, navigation systems and unmanned navigation, including in the Arctic, while exploring the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, and along other routes.
The small size, weight, and volume of these new nuclear generators, along with their safety and reliability, allow for flexible use in creating power units for mineral extraction in hard-to-reach areas, including offshore Arctic fields, providing light and heat to remote regions and communities, and increasing the efficiency of underwater expeditions exploring the World Ocean.
The components and electronics developed for the Burevestnik and Poseidon will also be instrumental in creating powerful computers, as well as in the development of digital infrastructure, control, and communications systems.
I repeat, a cornerstone for the future has been laid that will define and enable our progress for decades to come. I know you are already building on this. A new generation of weapons and equipment is present not only in your plans, but also in your calculations, drawings, test rigs, and on your ranges. I wish you success in addressing the most complex challenges. I know – I am confident – that you and your colleagues are equal to the task.
Friends,
Our country poses no threat to anyone. Russia, like all other nuclear powers, is building its nuclear capabilities and its strategic potential. Everything we have just discussed is routine work that was announced long ago.
All our plans for creating advanced weapons systems, upgrading our defence industry, and equipping the Russian Army and Navy with the latest weaponry and technology are being implemented. I am referring to the development and deployment of the latest Avangard strategic missile system. We have developed and deployed the Oreshnik medium-range missile system and have begun serial production. We have equipped our intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched missiles with modern systems to counter anti-ballistic missile defences. This year, we will put the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile system through combat trials, and next year, deploy it on combat duty.
And finally, the reason we have gathered here today. Russia now has the Burevestnik unlimited-range cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle.
All our plans are being fulfilled. They are being realised thanks to people like you, your colleagues, the teams of design bureaus, industrial enterprises, and research centres – thanks to the workers, engineers, scientists, and professors at our universities. You are true patriots who faithfully serve the nation and its people.
Thank you very much.
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