Moscow: Putin Considers Nuclear Tests for the First Time Since 1991
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin directed his top officials to develop proposals for a potential nuclear weapons test, marking a significant shift as Russia hasn’t conducted any such tests since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.
Defence Minister Andrei Belousov informed Putin that recent actions and statements from the United States indicated it would be wise to prepare for comprehensive nuclear tests without delay. He noted that Russia’s Arctic testing site at Novaya Zemlya could facilitate such tests on short notice.
Putin emphasized the need for a thorough analysis, instructing the Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry, special services, and relevant civilian agencies to gather information and present collective proposals on the feasibility of resuming nuclear weapons testing.
Currently, North Korea is the only country to have conducted explosive nuclear tests this century, with its last test occurring in 2017. Security experts warn that resuming nuclear testing could create a volatile situation amid escalating global tensions. They believe that if one country undertakes such tests, it may prompt others to follow suit.
Andrey Baklitskiy, a senior researcher at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, commented on social media about the potential consequences, suggesting that while nobody wants such an escalation, it could become a reality.
The last nuclear tests by other major powers occurred years ago: the United States tested in 1992, while China and France did so in 1996. Post-Soviet Russia, which inherited the Soviet Union’s nuclear arsenal, has not conducted any nuclear tests.
In related news, former President Donald Trump recently announced plans for the United States to begin nuclear tests, stating that they would do so to keep pace with other nations’ programs.
