Russia Steps Up Activity Amid U.S. Nuclear Test Plans; Putin Orders Readiness Proposals

Amid growing global tension, Russia has launched renewed activity over the possibility of U.S. nuclear weapons testing. President Vladimir Putin has instructed his cabinet and security officials to prepare proposals for potential nuclear test readiness.

In a high-level meeting, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov warned that Washington’s move poses a “direct military threat” to Russia. He stated that Russia’s nuclear readiness must be maintained at a level that guarantees “unacceptable damage” to any adversary.

Belousov further noted that, if necessary, Russia could quickly make its Novaya Zemlya test site in the Arctic region operational again for nuclear testing.

Meanwhile, General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the Russian General Staff, cautioned that failing to act now could cost Russia the ability to respond effectively to future U.S. decisions.

Russia has not conducted any nuclear weapons tests since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, in recent weeks, tensions between Washington and Moscow have sharply escalated.

Earlier, on October 30, former U.S. President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to prepare for the first U.S. nuclear test since 1992, criticizing Russia’s test of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Analysts warn that the renewed nuclear posturing by the two superpowers — after more than three decades — underscores the fragile state of global arms control efforts and raises fears of a new nuclear arms race.