On National Unity Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin honored the developers of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle in a Kremlin ceremony.
Putin praised the scientists, engineers, and defense experts behind these next-generation strategic weapons, calling their achievement “of historic significance for Russia’s security and global stability.”
He highlighted the technological breakthroughs—including ultra-small nuclear reactors and all-domestic materials—used to develop the systems, saying they ensure Russia’s strategic parity and technological sovereignty for decades to come.
The President noted that both Burevestnik and Poseidon represent not only military strength but also advances in nuclear energy, digital innovation, and scientific research, which will benefit civilian industries and Arctic exploration.
As Putin stated: “Russia poses no threat to anyone, but our defense capabilities guarantee peace for generations ahead.”
00:00Dear friends, good afternoon. First of all, I would like to congratulate you all on National Unity Day.
00:09This holiday reminds us of the glorious pages of our fatherland's history, the importance of our unity, the continuity of generations, and our responsibility for Russia's fate.
00:19Today, here in the Kremlin, we honor people who have demonstrated such worthy service to the homeland, made significant contributions to its security and defense capability, and strengthened its scientific and industrial potential and technological sovereignty.
00:37The developers of the Berevesnik nuclear-powered strategic cruise missile of unlimited range and the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle have deservedly received state awards.
00:54I would like to thank you and all the scientific, production, and work teams, tens of thousands of people, who participated in the creation of this powerful, effective, and unique weapon.
01:07The result you've achieved is, without exaggeration, of historic significance for our people, ensuring security and strategic parity for the next decade, and one could safely say for the entire 21st century.
01:27The Borevesni missile's range, as is well known, surpasses all known missile systems in the world.
01:33It boasts high target accuracy, which it accurately and reliably achieves within a predetermined time.
01:46I believe foreign specialists were also able to verify this, as a NATO reconnaissance ship was constantly present in the area during the Borevesni missile's testing on October 21st.
01:56We did not interfere with its operation.
01:59We did not interfere with its operation.
02:03Let them see.
02:05Yes, I especially note the unique performance of the missile's powerful, ultra-small nuclear reactors.
02:15Start-up takes seconds, while conventional reactors require hours or even days.
02:25A new generation of weapons is already being developed based on such power plants.
02:35Moreover, development of the next generation of nuclear-powered cruise missiles has begun.
02:42Their speed will be more than three times the speed of sound, and in the future, they will become hypersonic.
02:49We recently discussed this with some of our colleagues in this room.
02:54Work on the Poseidon submersible is closely linked to the creation of the Boreasnik.
03:01The technologies and technological innovations used in them are in many ways unique and complement each other.
03:12Of course, Poseidon's creators also had to solve specific problems associated with operating an underwater complex.
03:19I'm referring to the advanced materials, components, and assemblies required for this particular submersible, which ensure high speed and a diving depth of up to 1,000 meters.
03:34As for speeds, they are many times faster than all modern surface ships.
03:40I want to emphasize that such technological breakthroughs don't arise from scratch.
03:47They are, without a doubt, the embodiment of the labor and talent of many generations of our great compatriots, who began and persistently pursued such research back in the second half of the last century.
04:03And, of course, your success in creating other highly complex systems like Boreasnik and Poseidon is a testament to the enormous potential and capabilities of our modern science, universities, schools, industry, and the economy as a whole.
04:24I'll point out, I've already mentioned this, that Boreasnik and Poseidon use only domestically produced materials.
04:33Thanks to extensive cooperation, and I emphasize again, this involves thousands upon thousands of people and specialists, a veritable treasure trove of new materials, technologies, unmanned systems, software, and digital solutions, as well as component-based elements, has been created.
04:52Their use will enable us to achieve breakthroughs not only in the defense industry but also in many civilian sectors in implementing a number of priority national projects and programs, including small-scale nuclear power, the creation of power plants for the Arctic Zone, and the exploration of deep and near space, including power supply for the heavy-lift spacecraft we are currently developing,
05:20as well as for a prospective lunar station.
05:30Poseidon's new operating principles and algorithms will significantly improve unmanned vehicles, advancing shipbuilding for navigation and autonomous shipping systems, including in the Arctic during the development of the Arctic Transport Corridor and other routes.
05:48The small size, weight, and volume of the newly developed nuclear units, along with their safety and reliability, allow for their flexible use in creating energy sources for mineral extraction in hard-to-reach areas, including the Arctic Shelf, providing light and heat to remote territories and populated areas, and increasing the efficiency of underwater expeditions exploring the world's oceans.
06:16Regarding the component base, the electronic components of the Bervesnik and Poseidon will be used in the creation of powerful computers, as well as in the development of digital infrastructure, control, and communication systems.
06:32I repeat, a tremendous foundation has been laid for the future, and we will certainly move forward.
06:39I know you're already working on this, not only in your plans but also in your calculations, drawings, and on test rigs and ranges for a new generation of weapons and equipment.
06:52I wish you success in solving the most complex challenges.
06:59I know, I'm simply confident, that you and your colleagues are ready for this.
07:06Dear friends, our country poses no threat to anyone.
07:17Russia, like all other nuclear powers, is developing its nuclear potential, developing its strategic potential.
07:27Everything we're discussing now is work that's been long promised.
07:36All our plans for creating advanced weapons systems, developing the defense industry, and equipping the Russian Army and Navy with modern equipment and weapons are being fulfilled.
07:52With an eye on the development and deployment of the latest Avangard strategic missile system, we have developed, deployed, and begun serial production of the Orshnik medium-range missile system.
08:09We've equipped our intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched missiles with modern anti-ballistic missile defense systems.
08:20Next year, we'll be deploying heavy intercontinental ballistic missile systems, the Sarmat, into combat deployment, and next year, into combat duty.
08:32And finally, the reason we've gathered here today.
08:39Russia finally has the Vestnik Unlimited Range cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle.
08:49All our plans are being fulfilled.
08:56They are being fulfilled thanks to people like you, your colleagues, the teams at design bureaus, industrial enterprises, and research centers.
09:05Thanks to the workers, engineers, scientists, and faculty at our universities, true patriots who faithfully serve the fatherland in our people.
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