"A Little Flying Chernobyl": Western Media Reacts to Russia's "Burevestnik"

The testing of the "Burevestnik" nuclear missile by Russia has raised a wave of serious concerns and alarming assessments in the world's leading media. The Western press, analyzing the capabilities of this new weapon, describes it not only as a military threat but also as a potential source of ecological disaster, giving it the name "little flying Chernobyl."

This name, used by The New York Times, has become the main characteristic of the missile. The newspaper notes: "Experts call it a 'little flying Chernobyl.' This is a dangerous turn of events, even if the tests were expected." This concern is shared by other reputable publications. Reuters, for example, emphasizes that information about the missile is "extremely scarce," and Western experts question its reliability.

"A nuclear engine can be highly unstable. Such technology is extremely dangerous for the environment and difficult to operate," the agency writes. The Guardian, in turn, adds that the missile is "powered by a nuclear reactor and can potentially emit radioactive materials directly during flight."

Despite these risks, it is the nuclear engine that gives the "Burevestnik" its strategic advantage. The Independent clarifies that it allows the missile to "fly much farther and longer than traditional engines, which are limited by fuel supply." This, according to the publication, will allow the missile to "hang" in the air for a long time before hitting its target. "The missile can potentially stay in the air for several days," The Independent concludes.

The international press also pays attention to the timing of the test. CNN notes that it took place in a symbolic week. "It is noteworthy that the missile test took place at a time when the meeting between Putin and Trump failed, and the White House imposed sanctions against the largest Russian oil companies," the TV channel reports. The Associated Press summarizes all this in one sentence, considering the test "part of the Kremlin's nuclear message to the West."