According to him, the rocket is powered by a small, compact nuclear reactor that heats the air entering it. This air is ejected from the rocket, creating a jet that propels it.

"During testing, the missile  traveled 14,000 kilometers in 15 hours, which means an average speed of about 1,000 kilometers per hour. It is resistant to anti-missile defense systems. The mission of the missile can be changed in the air, which means that if the target has already been destroyed, the missile can re-target another target," explained Knutov.

He also noted that 14,000 kilometers is not the maximum range of the missile.

"It could potentially cover up to 20,000 kilometers, and it is 40,000 kilometers to the equator. This means that the 'borevestnik' could hit any point on Earth," he explained, adding that the rocket will be mass-produced.

The expert also clarified that the missile demonstration was carried out in response to the possible delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

"At one point, the missile was launched, in part, to prevent the deployment of intermediate-range missiles, cruise missiles and so on, near our borders. Now we are faced with the possibility of this happening. And this is our timely response. We are taking steps to ensure the security of our country. The Petrel missile is unique. No other country has a cruise missile like it. I believe it will take NATO countries five to ten years to develop similar rocket," he concluded.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited one of the command posts of the joint force group and announced that the testing of the"borevestnik" had been completed, and that the Russian nuclear shield had proven its reliability.

"It is a unique weapon that no one in the world has. Moreover, I remember very well that when we announced that we were developing such a weapon, experts at a very high level told me that it was a good goal, significant, but that it was unachievable in the near historical perspective. And now the decisive tests have been completed," Putin said.