Moscow presents itself as a world nuclear power and digs deep into the symbolism of the Cold War. There is more to the move than a mere demonstration of power.
Ivan Ruslyannikov / ch media
Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin has ordered preparations for nuclear weapons tests – and has chosen a special location for this. The largest thermonuclear bomb in human history was detonated on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in northern Russia during the Cold War. Now it will once again function as a test area. According to experts, Putin wants to increase pressure on the West.
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to test nuclear bombs again.Image: keystone
Vladimir Putin’s meeting with members of the Russian Security Council this Wednesday was supposed to be dedicated to road safety for citizens. However, during the session, the Chairman of the Russian Parliament Vyacheslav Volodin asked the President a different question:
“Trump recently declared that the US would resume nuclear weapons testing. Overall, this is a worrying situation. Two years ago you said that if the US were to test nuclear weapons again, Russia would have the full right to do the same. Could you please explain what steps and measures we will take?”
Although this had nothing to do with transportation, Putin suggested listening to his colleagues. As it turned out, that was actually exactly what everyone in this room had gathered to see.
Meeting of the Russian Security Council in Moscow chaired by the President.Image: keystone
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov reported to Putin that the United States is currently working on the development of a new intercontinental ballistic missile called “Sentinel” with a range of up to 13,000 km. Also on a strategic nuclear submarine called “Columbia”, on a missile defense program and the “Dark Eagle” missile complex.
“I think it makes sense to immediately begin preparations for comprehensive nuclear weapons tests,” said Belousov. The operational readiness of the armed forces and resources of the central test site on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago made it possible to carry out this within a short period of time.
The Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, added: “If we don’t take the appropriate measures now, time will be lost.” As a result of the meeting, Putin ordered preparations for nuclear weapons tests.
Reaction to Donald Trump
Putin’s statement was a response to Donald Trump’s October 30 statement. At that time, the American president wrote that he had ordered the Pentagon to begin testing nuclear weapons. He underlined that the reason for this is the nuclear tests that other countries are carrying out.
The last explosion of a Soviet nuclear bomb with a yield of 70 kilotons took place on Novaya Zemlya on October 24, 1990, after which the USSR announced a unilateral moratorium on nuclear weapons tests. However, in November 2023, Putin signed a law revoking ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
In total, the Soviet Union conducted 715 nuclear weapons tests between 1949 and 1990. Among other things, the “Tsar Bomb” was detonated on Novaya Zemlya in 1961. With an explosive force of 58.6 megatons, it was the most powerful thermonuclear charge in human history.
The mushroom cloud rose to a height of 67.3 kilometers and the flash could be seen in Alaska, Norway and Greenland. A year later, in October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred and the world was on the brink of nuclear catastrophe.
The message behind the announcement
In an interview with CH Media, military expert and international relations specialist Pawel Luzin suspected that Putin was not bluffing. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there were nuclear weapons tests.” This all fits into the Russian concept of “escalation to de-escalation,” within which Russia must demonstrate its willingness and determination to use nuclear weapons.
Demonstrative nuclear weapons tests are one of the measures. However, so far only half a step has been taken in this direction – the preparation of nuclear weapons tests was announced, not their implementation. “Overall, this whole story is more about psychological pressure on the West,” explained Luzin.
According to him, the nuclear test site on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago is still operational, and although the last nuclear tests there took place 35 years ago, it has always been kept in readiness to resume testing. (aargauerzeitung.ch)