In a chilling interview at the Kremlin aired on state-owned television, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Russia’s readiness to resort to nuclear weapons if necessary. Putin emphasized that Russia’s doctrine permits the use of nuclear attacks in the face of perceived threats to the country’s statehood, sovereignty or independence.
Despite this readiness, Putin clarified that he has never considered using nuclear arms in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
When asked by Kiselev if such thoughts had ever crossed his mind, Putin said: “No, but why?” He said Russia adheres to its principles, and any potential use of weapons, including nuclear ones, would be in defense of the Russian state and its sovereignty. Putin emphasized that Russia’s strategy remains unchanged and is well-documented.
Putin also noted that while the United States possesses approximately 5,400 nuclear weapons, this does not imply an imminent nuclear war. However, he indicated that if the U.S. conducts nuclear drills, Russia would respond in kind.
Addressing concerns about nuclear testing, Putin explained that certain circles in the U.S. entertain ideas about conducting such tests to validate new warheads. He emphasized that Russia is aware of these discussions and closely monitors them.
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In 2020, the Kremlin issued an executive order outlining four scenarios in which Russia would consider resorting to nuclear weapons, including preemptive strikes or responses to nuclear attacks against Russia. Additionally, nuclear weapons could be deployed in response to threats that would limit Russia’s control over its nuclear arsenal or when the existence of Russia itself is threatened.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Putin, recently described nuclear weapons as Russia’s “farewell option,” cautioning against the normalization of nuclear warfare by Western powers.
Russia has largest stockpile of nuclear warheads in the world
Russia, inheriting the Soviet Union’s nuclear arsenal, possesses the largest stockpile of nuclear warheads globally. According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), President Putin oversees approximately 5,580 nuclear warheads. Among these, roughly 1,200 are retired but still intact, while around 4,380 are designated for use by long-range strategic launchers and shorter-range tactical nuclear forces.
Of the stockpiled warheads, approximately 1,710 strategic warheads are deployed, with about 870 situated on land-based ballistic missiles, around 640 on submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and potentially 200 at heavy bomber bases, as per FAS.
These figures indicate that Moscow possesses the capability to inflict devastation on a global scale multiple times over.
During the Cold War era, the Soviet Union reached a peak of approximately 40,000 nuclear warheads, while the U.S. peaked at around 30,000.
In recent years, the U.S. has expressed concerns about Russia and China’s efforts to expand and modernize their nuclear forces. The U.S. has advocated for an arms control-based approach to prevent costly arms races.
While Russia’s nuclear posture and rhetoric are alarming, its nuclear arsenal and operations have seen little change since recent estimates, according to the FAS. However, it is anticipated that the number of warheads assigned to Russian strategic forces may increase in the future, particularly as single-warhead missiles are replaced with those equipped with multiple warheads.
Putin has indicated that Russia would consider nuclear testing if the United States were to conduct such tests. Last year, he signed a law withdrawing Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). However, post-Soviet Russia has refrained from conducting nuclear tests.
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, only a handful of countries have conducted nuclear tests, including the United States, China, France, India, Pakistan and North Korea.
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