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By Gabe Whisnant
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Russia’s test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile that it claims can evade any air defense system reflects Moscow’s determination to protect its national security, the Kremlin said Monday, as the United States and European allies increased pressure on President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was “consistently working to ensure its own security,” calling it a “vital issue” for the country amid what he described as “militaristic sentiment” from Europe.
Why It Matters
The timing of the announcement came days after the Trump administration prepared new sanctions targeting Russia’s vital oil and gas sector, and European governments pledged additional military support for Kyiv.
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What To Know
The test of the Burevestnik missile, known by NATO as Skyfall, was first revealed Sunday when Putin appeared in an official video wearing camouflage fatigues to hear a report from Russia’s chief of general staff. According to the Kremlin, the missile traveled 8,700 miles in the test — a claim that could not be independently verified by the Associated Press.
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U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the missile test, saying Putin should focus on peace rather than weapons development.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the Trump administration of shifting its stance on peace talks. He said that after Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska in August, the two sides discussed long-term security guarantees without requiring a cease-fire.
Lavrov also met in Moscow with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, underscoring growing military cooperation between the two countries. Pyongyang has reportedly sent troops, artillery and missiles to aid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s military said it continues to face heavy fighting along the eastern and southern fronts. In the eastern city of Pokrovsk, Russian forces pushed into several neighborhoods but failed to seize control, according to Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps. The unit said it repelled 42 Russian attacks over two days with support from artillery and drone units.
The Russian Defense Ministry said Monday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 193 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, including 34 aimed at Moscow. No damage or casualties were reported.
Two major Moscow airports — Domodedovo and Zhukovsky — briefly closed overnight because of the drone attacks, while several others across the country imposed restrictions. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 100 Shahed and decoy drones overnight, with 26 reaching their targets.
Ukraine’s private energy company DTEK announced emergency power outages in Kyiv, surrounding areas and the Dnipropetrovsk region as the country braces for renewed Russian strikes heading into winter.
What People Are Saying
Trump told reporters while traveling between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo, “You’ve got to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now in its soon fourth year. That’s what you ought to do instead of testing missiles.”
Lavrov said in an interview with Hungary’s Ultrahang YouTube channel, “Now all they’re talking about is an immediate cease-fire … this is a radical change."
What Happens Next
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said France will send additional Mirage fighter jets and air defense systems, while the United Kingdom plans to provide more missiles and help produce interceptor drones.
Updates: 10/27/25, 11:47 a.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Updates: 10/27/25, 12:13 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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