Russian President Vladimir Putin and former President Dmitry Medvedev have openly warned Ukraine, NATO, and the United States, stating that the use of long-range missiles or weapons against their nation could lead to a nuclear war, potentially igniting World War Three. Russia's nuclear arsenal is the largest in the world.
Globally, nine countries have nuclear weapons: the United States, Russia, England, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel. Together, they've amassed 12,121 nuclear weapons, with 9,585 being military-grade and 3,904 deployed in missiles and aircraft.
Source: aajtak
Since last year, there are 60 more weapons deployed across missiles, fighter jets, or bombers. Approximately 2,100 weapons are ready in ballistic missiles positioned on high alert due to geopolitical tensions with Ukraine, NATO, and conflicts involving China and Taiwan. As disputes escalate, the risk of nuclear weapon use increases.
How Many Nuclear Weapons Each Nation Owns
Russia leads with 4,380, followed by the United States with 3,708, China with 500, France with 290, the United Kingdom with 225, India with 172, Pakistan with 170, Israel with 90, and North Korea with 50. Consequently, India ranks sixth globally in nuclear capability. Of Russia's 4,380 nuclear weapons, 1,710 are mounted on missiles, fighter jets, and bombers.
Dangerous Russian Nuclear Weapons Capable of Massive Destruction
Ground-Based Nuclear Missiles
RS-24 Yars:
Deployable from a road-mobile launcher or silo, each missile can carry three warheads, enabling simultaneous strikes at three locations. It generates a yield of 200 kilotons. Russia has 772 such warheads for this missile, with 63 mobile and 10 fixed launching stations. Its range is 12,000 km, and it can evade any air defense systems.
Topol-M:
Similar to the RS-24, it launches from mobile or silo bases, carrying a nuclear warhead capable of an 800-kiloton yield. Russia holds 78 such warheads. Weighing over 47,000 kg and extending 74 feet in length, it can carry a 1X1.0Mt warhead. Its speed reaches 27,100 km/h, boasting a range of 11,000 km.
Source: aajtak
Voevoda:
Known as the R-36 missile from the Soviet era, nicknamed 'Scorp,' it has a range of 11,000 km. As an exceptionally fast missile, Russia holds 340 nuclear warheads of 550-750 kilotons each for this system. There are 46 such missiles available, launched from silos.
This missile can carry ten warheads, striking ten separate targets. Its speed makes it elusive to air defense systems. When launched, it can potentially obliterate three U.S. states simultaneously.
Source: aajtak
Sarmat:
Known as Satan-2, it is a ballistic missile with hypersonic speed, reaching 24,500 km/h. Russia possesses 46 Sarmat missiles, armed with 16 warheads of 750 kilotons each. It spans a range of 18,000 km, rendering any global air defense system ineffective. This missile can target any location worldwide.
Avangard:
A hypersonic glide vehicle, is capable of speeds of 24,500 km/h with a range of 6,000 km. It launches atop the Voevoda or Sarmat missiles, generating a yield of 800 kilotons or 2 megatons. Russia has crafted seven such devices, deployable atop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). Its unpredictable flight path makes interception impossible.
Sea-Based Nuclear Missiles
Bulava:
This missile is launched from submarines. Positioned in Russia's new Borei-class submarines, it serves as a naval version of the Topol-M missile. Boasting a range of 9,500 km, it holds 6-10 warheads and can be equipped with nuclear weapons providing 100 to 150 kilotons of yield. Russia's inventory includes 576 such warheads, capable of fooling multiple air defense systems. Three Borei-class submarines exist, each housing 16 missiles.
Layner:
An intercontinental ballistic missile, launched from submarines, carries nuclear warheads yielding 100 kilotons. Russia has 320 of such warheads. As an upgrade of the Sineva missile, it's deployed in Delta IV-class submarines. Fully loaded, its range counts 8,300 km, extending to 12,000 km when lightly loaded. Its unique feature is the capability to carry 12 different warheads, granting the potential for multifaceted attacks. Equipped with an anti-ballistic missile shield, it remains immune to anti-missile systems, asserting its devastating potential.
