Moscow, Oct 18 – In a bid to deter increased Western support for Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has prominently showcased Russia’s nuclear capabilities this year, emphasizing that it possesses the world’s largest atomic arsenal. This display includes military drills involving battlefield nuclear weapons alongside ally Belarus, the announcement of plans to produce ground-based intermediate-range missiles previously banned under a defunct U.S.-Soviet treaty, and a recent revision of the country’s nuclear doctrine that lowers the threshold for potential nuclear engagement.
Putin views Russia’s vast stockpile of warheads and missiles as a crucial deterrent against NATO’s conventional military superiority, framing it as a necessary safeguard for the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Here’s an overview of Russia’s nuclear arsenal and its implications:
Russia’s Strategic Nuclear Weapons
The Federation of American Scientists estimates that Russia possesses 5,580 nuclear warheads, both deployed and non-deployed, compared to the U.S. inventory of 5,044. Together, these two countries account for approximately 88% of the world’s nuclear weapons.
Russia maintains a nuclear triad comprising land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), long-range bombers, and ICBM-armed submarines. Since Putin assumed power in 2000, the Kremlin has focused on modernizing its nuclear arsenal, including the deployment of new land-based missiles and the commissioning of advanced submarines. Notably, Russia is replacing older Soviet-built R-36M missiles with the new Sarmat ICBMs, also known as “Satan II” in the West, although this missile has faced challenges during testing.
Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons
Estimates suggest Russia has between 1,000 and 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons designed for battlefield use, which are generally less powerful than strategic warheads. The military employs high-precision Iskander missiles and MiG-31 fighter jets equipped with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, which can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads.
Nuclear Doctrine and Deterrence Strategy
The longstanding principle of mutually assured destruction (MAD) has underpinned nuclear deterrence between Moscow and Washington. However, Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine, adopted in 2020, allows for nuclear weapons use in response to conventional attacks that threaten the state’s existence. Recently, Putin asserted that any significant air assault could provoke a nuclear response, a statement intended to instill caution among Western allies.
Future of Arms Control
The New START treaty, the last remaining arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, limits each country to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed delivery systems. However, in February 2023, Putin announced Russia’s suspension of participation in the treaty, though he pledged to adhere to its limits. Furthermore, he indicated plans to produce ground-based intermediate-range missiles, countering U.S. deployments in Europe.
Resumption of Nuclear Testing
Some Russian officials have advocated for the resumption of nuclear testing to demonstrate readiness to use its nuclear arsenal, a move Putin suggests would occur only if the U.S. initiates similar tests.
Prospective New Weapons
Putin has unveiled a range of new nuclear capabilities, including the hypersonic Avangard glide vehicle and the nuclear-powered Poseidon underwater drone, which is designed to create devastating radioactive tsunamis. Development continues on these advanced systems despite concerns over safety and technical feasibility, particularly regarding the Burevestnik cruise missile, which has encountered significant obstacles during testing.
As tensions with the West continue to rise amid the conflict in Ukraine, Russia’s emphasis on its nuclear capabilities serves as both a warning and a strategic tool in the ongoing geopolitical landscape.
