Russia unveils nuclear ‘fireball’

VLADIMIR Putin says Russia has developed an “unstoppable” nuclear cruise missile that cannot be intercepted by any anti-missile system on Earth.

The intercontinental ballistic rocket with “unlimited range” was one of several unveiled by the Russian leader in his state of the nation address in Moscow.

They include a nuclearpowered cruise missile, a nuclear-powered underwater drone and a new hypersonic missile that apparently have no equivalent.

Footage during his speech shows the new “unstoppable” missile heading toward the US as he promises to “neutralise” that country’s missile defence.

“Russia remained a nuclear power but no one wanted to listen to us,” Mr Putin, 65, said.

“No one has listened to us. You listen to us now.”

He said the hypersonic intercontinental rocket, known as the Avangard, could travel 20 times the speed of sound and strike “like a meteorite, like a fireball”.

“It’s like a fireball guided to its target,” said Mr Putin, who also announced Russia was working on laser weapons.

The Russian leader, who has been in power since 2012, said the missile’s appearance was being kept under wraps.

Mr Putin also announced a web contest to name a new, high-speed underwater drone that carries nuclear warheads and can destroy aircraft carriers and coastal facilities.

The Russian military has dubbed the shadowy vessels autonomous underwater vehicles, reportedly capable of deploying missiles with a power of 100 megatons.

Mr Putin said the new weapons made NATO’s USled missile defence “useless”, in effect ending Western efforts to “contain” Russia.

Mr Putin sensationally vowed to wage nuclear war on the US if they attacked Russia, branding US President Donald Trump’s new nuclear doctrine “worrying”.

The Kremlin strongman said if Russia was attacked with nukes then he would not hesitate to launch his nucleartipped ballistic missiles.

Mr Putin also focused on domestic issues in the speech, saying that the coming years will be “decisive” for the Russian people.