What is the “nuclear triad”, Putin’s new threat, on the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia will pay increased attention to strengthening its nuclear forces, developing a long-awaited new intercontinental ballistic missile, developing hypersonic missiles, and adding new nuclear submarines to its fleet.

A year after ordering the invasion of Ukraine, Putin said he was ready to dismantle the mechanism for nuclear arms control — including the major powers’ halt to nuclear testing — if the West did not back down in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Putin sought to underscore Russian resolve in Ukraine by suspending a landmark nuclear arms control treaty, announcing that new strategic systems would be put into combat service, and warning Moscow that nuclear testing could resume.

In a speech marking Red Army Day, Putin invoked the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany to say that Russia needed modern armed forces to ensure its sovereignty.

Putin: We will strengthen the “nuclear trio”

As before, we will pay more attention to strengthening it The nuclear triadPutin said, referring to the Land, sea and air nuclear missilesIn a speech broadcast on state television.

Putin, who portrays the conflict in Ukraine as an existential struggle to defend Russia against what he sees as an overbearing and aggressive West, said that Silo-based Sarmat ICBMs will be deployed this year.

Putin first announced the RS-28 Sarmat liquid-fueled missile, dubbed “Satan 2,” in 2018. The missiles were supposed to be deployed last year.

CNN reported that the US believes Russia conducted a Sarmat test shortly before US President Joe Biden’s visit to Ukraine earlier this week, but that the test failed. The Russian Defense Ministry did not comment.

The missile has a range of 35 meters (18,000 km) and can carry no less than 10 warheads, each of which can be directed at a different target. It can also carry supersonic Avangard vehicles.

In addition, Putin said, Russia will continue mass production of the Kinzhal hypersonic airborne systems and begin mass purchases of the Zircon hypersonic missiles at sea.

“With the adoption of the Borei-A nuclear submarine project“ Emperor Alexander III ”in the Navy, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the naval strategic nuclear forces will reach 100%,” Putin said.

“In the coming years, three more cruisers will replenish the fleet’s combat power,” he said.

Emperor Alexander III was launched in late December. This is the seventh Borei-A-class submarine – each of them can carry 16 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Putin also said that Russia will develop all branches of Russia’s conventional armed forces, improve training, add advanced equipment, strengthen the weapons industry, and upgrade battle-proven soldiers.

“A modern and efficient army and navy are a guarantee of the country’s security and sovereignty and a guarantee of its stable development and future,” Putin said. Therefore, we will continue to give priority attention to strengthening our defense capability.”