Experts say recent satellite images show intense preparations at the Pankovo test site on Novaya Zemlya, a remote archipelago in the Barents Sea.
The pictures, taken in recent weeks by commercial satellite firm Planet Labs, reveal a surge in personnel, equipment, ships and aircraft linked to earlier tests of the 9M730 Burevestnik, known to NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall.
A Western security source has also verified that Russia is preparing a Burevestnik launch, supporting the findings by Jeffrey Lewis from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and Decker Eveleth, of the CNA research and analysis organisation.
Lewis told Reuters that it could happen this week, which could potentially overshadow the planned Putin-Trump summit in Alaska.
Putin has previously described the Burevestnik as 'invincible' to current and future missile defences, claiming it has almost unlimited range.
The development of the missiles has become a prime focus for Putin, especially after Trump revealed what he called the US Golden Dome missile in January, according to experts.
However, some specialists are sceptical that it can truly evade defence systems or give Russia extra capabilities it does not already possess. There are also concerns that the missile could release dangerous radiation along its route.
Lewis and Eveleth say Planet Labs images taken since late July show stacks of shipping containers, more equipment and more personnel arriving at the site.
Lewis said two aircraft equipped to collect test data have been parked at Rogachevo military airfield since mid-July, both carrying saucer-shaped radar domes.
He also noted the presence of at least five ships linked to past tests, and said ship-tracking site VesselFinder.com showed a sixth vessel, the Teriberka cargo ship, heading towards Novaya Zemlya this week.
The researchers say they began monitoring Pankovo in July and increased scrutiny after Russia issued a maritime warning on August 6 for the period between August 9 and 12.
Notices on the US Federal Aviation Administration's system suggested a possible launch window from August 9 to 22.
Norway's military told Reuters the Barents Sea is a 'prime location for Russian missile tests' and that warnings pointed to 'preparations for test activities', though it would not confirm the type of weapon.
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