Russia deploys highest number of nuclear warheads in nine years – SIPRI

Russia has increased the number of nuclear warheads deployed on launchers and ready for use for the fourth consecutive year. The figure has reached its highest level since 2017 amid increasingly frequent nuclear threats by Russian officials against European countries.

Source: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)'s 2026 annual report, World Nuclear Forces

Details: According to SIPRI analysts, as of January 2026, Russia's nuclear arsenal consisted of 5,420 warheads. Of these, 2,604 were held in central storage, 1,020 were considered retired and 1,796 warheads were deployed on launchers.

The number of warheads deployed on launchers in Russia has steadily increased since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine. There were 1,588 in 2022, 1,674 in 2023, 1,710 in 2024 and 1,718 in 2025.

Compared with 2020, the Kremlin has increased the number of deployed nuclear warheads by 14%, the highest figure since 2017, when there were 1,950.

By comparison, the US, which has a similarly sized arsenal, has not changed the number of its deployed warheads. The figure remains at 1,770.

France and the UK have also kept their figures unchanged, with 280 and 120 deployed warheads respectively.

China, meanwhile, increased the number of its deployed warheads from 24 to 34, out of a total arsenal of 620.

In 2025, India deployed 12 nuclear warheads on nuclear-powered submarines for the first time. Analysts estimate that New Delhi's total nuclear arsenal stands at 190 warheads.

SIPRI experts noted in its analysis of Russia's nuclear triad that Russia's land-based forces can carry up to 1,092 warheads. At present, around 892 warheads are deployed on intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The Russian Navy has 13 strategic submarines with a combined capacity of 928 warheads. As two submarines are undergoing major refits, the actual number of deployed warheads available to the fleet is 704.

Another 586 warheads are deployed on Russia's strategic bombers. SIPRI analysts noted that in 2025, the Russian Aerospace Forces suffered operational losses following attacks by Ukraine's defence forces on Russian air bases.

This forced the Russian military command to disperse a significant number of Tu-160/M and Tu-95MS aircraft to the remote Belaya air base in Irkutsk Oblast, Dyagilevo air base in Ryazan Oblast and Olenya air base in Murmansk Oblast.

The institute's experts point out that Russia's nuclear modernisation programme is facing significant delays due to Western sanctions, industrial inefficiency and the prioritisation of conventional weapons production for the war in Ukraine. Despite this, Moscow continues to deploy new systems, such as Oreshnik missile systems, including in Belarus.

The report also recorded growing secrecy surrounding nuclear arsenals around the world. This has been influenced by the expiry in February 2026 of the Russian-US Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START), which was not extended.

Quote: "While the global total inventory of nuclear warheads continues to fall as retired weapons are gradually dismantled, year-on-year increases can be seen in the number of operational (stockpiled) nuclear warheads. This trend seems likely to continue and will probably accelerate in the coming years."

Background:

• In November 2024, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine, expanding the list of scenarios in which the use of weapons of mass destruction could be considered.
• In February 2026, the New START Treaty expired. The agreement was not replaced by a new treaty, depriving the international community of an important source of transparency.
• In addition, Russian and Belarusian leaders have repeatedly claimed that tactical nuclear weapons, Iskander systems and Oreshnik missiles have been deployed in Belarus.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!