The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile capable of virtually unlimited range, successfully completed a key flight test. After Sunday’s announcement by the MOD, United States President Donald Trump responded, saying that Washington and Moscow are “not playing games” with each other when it comes to war.

The Burevestnik system is powered by a miniature nuclear reactor. It is designed to remain airborne for extended periods. It can be in the air for potentially months and strike from unpredictable directions. Moscow says the weapon will bolster Russia’s strategic deterrent once it enters service. According to Gerasimov, the latest trial included flight maneuvers to test the missile’s ability to evade interception.

The report was delivered to President Vladimir Putin by Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov during a meeting with senior military officials, according to a report by RT. 

Trump responded to the missile launch when asked a question aboard Air Force One on Monday.  A reporter asked Trump whether he views the Russian report of a missile test 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 said.

Russia has recently laid down a nuclear warning over the possibility of the West delivering Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

Russia Warns Of Nuclear Retaliation Over Tomahawks

Trump added that the announcement is not “appropriate,” saying: “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,” he said. According to further reporting by RT, Trump also referenced his own decision to move two U.S. nuclear submarines closer to Russian waters. He said, “We don’t need to go 8,000 miles,” which is the distance the Russian missile reportedly flew during testing.

Trump Threatens Russia: Ukraine Will Get Tomahawks if The “War Is Not Settled”

Russia’s red lines have been crossed before, and it definitely appears that its hesitation to broaden the war is the only thing keeping this conflict from becoming a third world war. What do you think? Is Russia showing restraint? Is this missile test a show of force or potentially saber-rattling? What will Trump’s role be? Let us know in the comments!