Vladimir Putin: Russia’s Nuclear Forces Almost Entirely Modernized
Putin placed a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier, situated at the base of the Kremlin wall, as a tribute to those who have perished in combat.
On Friday, President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has modernized 95% of its strategic nuclear forces and revealed that the Air Force recently received delivery of four new supersonic bombers capable of carrying nuclear payloads.
In a recorded address commemorating Russia’s annual Defender of the Fatherland Day, which honors the armed forces, Putin made these remarks. They came one day after he flew aboard a modernized Tu-160M strategic bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Ahead of the second anniversary of the commencement of the conflict in Ukraine, the Russian leader commended soldiers engaged in what he described as a “special military operation,” lauding them as heroes fighting for “truth and justice.”
Additionally, he placed a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier located at the base of the Kremlin wall, paying tribute to those who have perished in combat.
A significant portion of his speech was dedicated to highlighting what he described as the accomplishments of the military-industrial complex.
His message emphasized that Russia’s nuclear triad, consisting of its strategic land, sea, and air nuclear capabilities, is current, undergoing continuous modernization, and remains in a state of readiness.
“We will persist in bolstering the Armed Forces through ongoing efforts in re-equipping and modernization, informed by our actual combat experiences,” Putin affirmed.
“Presently, the proportion of contemporary weaponry and apparatus within the strategic nuclear forces stands at 95 percent, with the naval aspect of the ‘nuclear triad’ nearly reaching full modernization,” he elaborated.
Putin announced that Russia had initiated the mass production of its new Zircon hypersonic missiles and disclosed ongoing testing of new strike systems, although he refrained from providing specific details.
Fresh strategic submarines had been incorporated into the navy, while the armed forces had recently received delivery of four Tu-160M nuclear-capable bomber planes, similar to the one he piloted on Thursday.
“Following this, the focus will shift to the development and mass production of prospective models, along with the integration of artificial intelligence technologies in the realm of military affairs,” he remarked.
Putin has often asserted that Russia’s newest generation of cutting-edge weaponry surpasses that of any competitor, yet certain new systems have encountered delays in their testing and deployment.
In statements reported by state media last month, the chief of the company responsible for manufacturing the Zircon hypersonic missile indicated that its deployment into service would not be swift, requiring a substantial amount of testing.
Throughout the conflict in Ukraine, Putin has consistently emphasized Russia’s nuclear capabilities to the West.
The aircraft he piloted on Thursday has the capacity to transport either 12 cruise missiles or 12 short-range nuclear missiles and can cover a distance of 12,000 km (7,500 miles) without the need for refueling.
After a 30-minute demonstration flight, Putin characterized it as both new and dependable, an occurrence that a state TV correspondent described as “unprecedented.”
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