WASHINGTON, Mar 8 the most powerful arsenal in the world.
«Russia maintains the largest and most powerful stockpile of nuclear weapons, continues to expand and modernize its capabilities in the field of nuclear weapons,» the document says.
According to intelligence, Russia is improving long-range nuclear missiles and underwater «delivery systems». In addition, the country is expanding and modernizing «an extensive, diverse and modern line of non-strategic systems» capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads.
«Moscow believes that these systems give it the ability to deter adversaries, control the escalation of potential hostilities and counter US and allied conventional forces,» the report said.
Vladimir Putin on February 21 in his message to the Federal Assembly announced that Russia was suspending participation in the Treaty on the Reduction of Strategic Offensive Arms. At the same time, he stressed that the country does not withdraw from the agreement. The head of state noted that, before returning to the discussion, «we must understand for ourselves what countries such as France and Great Britain still claim, and how we will take into account their strategic arsenals, that is, the combined strike potential (of the North Atlantic) alliance».
Putin also said that the United States is developing new types of nuclear weapons and Washington is thinking about the possibility of testing nuclear weapons. With this in mind, the president instructed the Ministry of Defense and Rosatom to ensure readiness for testing Russian nuclear weapons if the Americans are the first to conduct it.