Russia plans nuclear missile test - Reuters

Two American researchers and a Western security official briefed journalists about possible test preparations. The sources are Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies and Decker Eveleth of the CNA research and analysis organization.

The specialists concluded there's heightened activity on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Barents Sea after analyzing recent satellite imagery from Planet Labs. The specified territory shows a noticeable increase in personnel and equipment. There's also been more ships and aircraft linked to earlier tests of the 9M730 Burevestnik missile.

"We can see all of the activity at the test site, which is both huge amounts of supplies coming in to support operations and movement at the place where they actually launch the missile," Jeffrey Lewis stated.

According to him, the test could happen as early as this week, which would impact the results of the Trump-Putin Alaska summit.

An unnamed source in Western security services also confirmed the test preparation information to the media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously claimed that current and future missile defense systems wouldn't stop such weapons. He said it has a virtually unlimited range and an unpredictable flight path. However, experts don't give a clear answer on whether the Burevestnik can evade defenses. It's also unknown whether the missile will emit radiation during flight.

Detailed study of the Pankovo images began after August 6, when Russia published a notice to mariners asking them to stay away from the area from August 9 to 12.

Reuters also discovered in the US Federal Aviation Administration's defense internet service NOTAM a series of notices issued by Russia that could indicate a possible missile launch between August 9 and 22. Norwegian military officials also told agency reporters about signs of test preparations.

Experts suggest that the Burevestnik missile test may have been planned long before the Trump-Putin meeting was arranged. However, Putin may have paused preparations due to the appearance of American spy satellites, to show his readiness to end the war in Ukraine and resume arms control negotiations with the US.

The agency notes that the Burevestnik has a poor testing record. Out of 13 known tests, only two were partially successful.

Ukrainian intelligence reported on Russia's problems with producing Kh-59 missiles. The main cause of obstacles is a shortage of foreign components.

It was also reported that during military exercises between Russia and Belarus, they practiced using nuclear weapons and launching the Oreshnik. This was announced by Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin.