Deputy FM highlights Russia’s cutting-edge nuclear capabilities

The modernisation of Russia’s nuclear triad is at an advanced stage, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov announced in an interview on Channel One.

Ryabkov said Russia already possesses fully deployed systems capable of reliably ensuring national security, adding that the modernisation of the country’s nuclear triad has reached a highly advanced stage, Caliber.Az reports.

“New systems have also emerged that did not exist at the time the treaty was concluded. All of this is well known. In other words, our security is guaranteed from all sides. There can be no doubt about this in this sphere. And if some hotheads are under the illusion that we will waver, that we will give in to provocations, or that we will plunge into some kind of arms race, I assure you that will not happen,” he emphasised.

Ryabkov also commented on the situation surrounding Iran, saying that US proposals regarding Tehran’s nuclear program are effectively tantamount to an ultimatum.

Russian diplomat's comments come as the last remaining US–Russia nuclear arms control agreement, the New START treaty, is set to expire on February 5, 2026, raising uncertainty over the future of strategic nuclear limits.

Russia’s nuclear triad consists of three strategic delivery legs designed to ensure deterrence: silo- and road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) on land, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) aboard nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, and long-range strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Russia maintains more than 300 land-based ICBMs, about 10–12 nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines, and roughly 60-70 strategic bombers as part of its strategic forces under the New START counting rules.

The triad’s modernisation has been ongoing for decades and includes new systems such as the RS-28 Sarmat heavy ICBM, upgraded Yars mobile ICBMs, and Borei-class SSBNs with Bulava SLBMs to replace older Soviet systems.

Strategic bombers like the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 continue to form the air-based leg, typically armed with long-range cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads.

By Jeyhun Aghazada