Russia nuclear tests on horizon after new Putin order

Shane Croucher

By Shane Croucher

Senior Editor

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Russian defense minister Andrey Belousov said it is appropriate to "immediately" prepare for "full-scale" nuclear tests at the country's Novaya Zemlya site, Moscow's state media outlets TASS and RIA reported.

"The readiness of the forces and facilities at the central test site on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago makes it possible to carry them out within a short time frame,” Belousov said at an operational meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the permanent members of Russia’s Security Council, per TASS.

Putin gave the order for ministries and officials to gather information and submit proposals to him on starting "work to prepare for nuclear weapons testing," though he said Russia remains—for now—committed to the ban on nuclear tests as long as others are.

It follows President Donald Trump's saying the U.S. would again test its nuclear weapons—ending decades of suspension under international agreements—and accused Russia, China, and Pakistan of testing in secret.

U.S. just tested unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead
Belousov said Russia must focus more on the actions of the U.S. than statements by politicians
Putin said Russia has no plans to walk away from nuclear test ban treaty but would be forced to take action if others do
Kremlin says Putin is seeking advice on preparations for nuclear tests, not ordering them to be prepared
China earlier said it adheres to its international obligations on nuclear weapons
Trump's Energy Secretary Chris Wright said U.S. tests will not include actual nuclear detonations

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In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on November 5, 2025.

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Nov 05, 2025 at 11:01 AM EST

How US, Russia nuclear weapons stockpiles compare

Russia has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world—though the U.S. has more deployed.

Nov 05, 2025 at 10:44 AM EST

Peskov says Putin ordered preliminary work, not preparation for tests

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, clarified Putin's instructions.

“I want to emphasize: the president did not give instructions to begin preparing for a test,” Peskov said, originally in Russian, TASS reported. “The president instructed that the issue of whether it is advisable to begin such preparations be studied.”

Nov 05, 2025 at 09:56 AM EST

Putin gives order to prepare for nuclear tests

At the Security Council meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the order to prepare for nuclear testing.

“I instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the special services, and the relevant civilian agencies to do everything necessary to gather additional information on this issue, analyze it within the framework of the Security Council, and submit coordinated proposals regarding the possible initiation of work to prepare for nuclear weapons testing,” Putin said, originally in Russian, state news agency TASS reported.