Separately, Russia’s defence leadership announced what they described as a successful test of the 9M730 Burevestnik — a nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable, ground-launched cruise missile that Russian officials say can loiter for many hours and travel intercontinental distances. Russia’s general staff reported the weapon flew for around 15 hours and covered roughly 14,000 kilometres in the test, claims that, if verified, would underline the missile’s long-range and endurance capabilities as described by Moscow. President Vladimir Putin hailed the test in public comments.
Western analysts and arms-control experts remain skeptical about the practical reliability and safety of a nuclear-powered cruise missile. The Burevestnik program has a history of technical setbacks and safety incidents during development — including a 2019 accident involving radiation that led to fatalities and experts point to unresolved engineering hurdles as reasons for caution in accepting Russia’s operational claims at face value. Still, the test announcement has renewed international concern over strategic stability and the risks associated with fielding unconventional nuclear propulsion technologies.
International implications and next steps
French prosecutors say the Louvre probe will continue and that recovery of the jewels is the priority; further arrests and searches are not ruled out as investigators follow cross-border leads. Meanwhile, Russia’s missile announcement is likely to draw responses from NATO capitals and arms-control observers requesting verification and raising questions about escalation and safety protocols for nuclear-propulsion experiments. Both stories—one a high-profile cultural crime with cross-border implications, the other a major claim about novel strategic weapons are expected to develop rapidly as investigators and international agencies seek confirmation and follow-up details.
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