Russia's Doomsday Weapon /MIT Prof. Ted Postol

** NEW MERCH ** Jackets & Sweatshirts, Thermo Mugs!!

Daniel Davis Deep Dive Merch: Etsy store

The discussion centers on Russia’s recent announcement of two nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed missiles: the Poseidon underwater drone and the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile. The focus is on the Burevestnik, whose October 21 test reportedly flew 14,000 km over 15 hours, confirming a speed of around Mach 0.85–0.9 and implying true unlimited range due to its nuclear propulsion system.

MIT Professor Ted Postol explains that the data released by Putin and General Gerasimov—flight duration and distance—allow experts to estimate the missile’s reactor power and thrust, making clear that it is real, not propaganda. Nuclear-powered cruise missiles were researched by both the U.S. and USSR in the 1950s–60s, but abandoned once ICBMs became accurate and reliable; the old designs required massive reactors and produced dangerous radiation. Russia’s new version uses a much smaller reactor, solves earlier shielding/electronics issues, and emits radiation that is difficult to detect from afar, which explains why Western sensors “saw nothing.”

Postol argues the Burevestnik is effectively unstoppable:

It can approach from any direction and even loiter for long periods, making attack timing unpredictable.

The missile’s rounded, radar-absorbing nose yields an extremely small radar cross-section (well under 0.1 m²).

It flies very low, hiding in ground clutter and defeating most radar detection.

Systems like the Patriot battery have limited azimuth coverage (about 120° per radar), leaving large gaps unless multiple expensive radars are deployed.

Overall, Postol concludes the Burevestnik is a genuine, strategically significant threat that current Western missile defenses are essentially incapable of detecting or intercepting.