Russia is making headlines due to its display of various doomsday weapons in a bid to dissuade the West from increasing support for Ukraine. Throughout this year, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly showcased Russia’s significant nuclear capabilities, underscoring that the country boasts the largest atomic arsenal globally. This demonstration is aimed at deterring Western nations from bolstering aid to Ukraine.
Putin’s actions include ordering military drills involving battlefield nuclear weapons with ally Belarus, announcing the production of ground-based intermediate-range missiles banned under a defunct U.S.-Soviet treaty, and revising the country’s nuclear doctrine to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons. These moves highlight Russia’s reliance on its substantial arsenal as a deterrent, particularly against what it perceives as threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Russia possesses a vast inventory of nuclear warheads, estimated by the Federation of American Scientists to total 5,580 deployed and non-deployed warheads, with the U.S. following closely behind at 5,044 warheads. The majority of Russia’s nuclear arsenal consists of strategic weapons, such as intercontinental-range missiles, long-range bombers, and ICBM-armed submarines. Since Putin took office in 2000, Russia has been actively modernizing its nuclear forces, prompting the U.S. to embark on a costly modernization of its own arsenal in response.
In addition to strategic weapons, Russia also maintains tactical nuclear weapons designed for battlefield use, including ground-launched missiles and nuclear-tipped fighter jets. The Kremlin has emphasised the role of nuclear deterrence in its military strategy, particularly amidst rising tensions with the West over conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.
The future of arms control between Russia and the U.S. remains uncertain, with the expiration of the New START treaty in 2026 and Putin’s recent suspension of Russia’s participation in the agreement. There have been calls from Russian hawks to resume nuclear testing as a show of readiness, potentially escalating global nuclear tensions.
Putin has also unveiled new weapons systems, such as the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle and the Poseidon underwater drone, aimed at circumventing U.S. missile defences. These developments have raised concerns and further highlighted the evolving nuclear landscape between major global powers.
As Russia continues to assert its nuclear capabilities on the world stage, the implications for international security and stability remain a source of ongoing debate and concern.
The Associated Press reports on nuclear security with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation, with sole responsibility for content. For more coverage of the nuclear landscape, visit https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/.