Russia’s deployed nuclear warheads hit highest level since 2017 — SIPRI

The figures appear in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s annual report, World Nuclear Forces.

SIPRI estimated Russia’s total nuclear arsenal at 5,420 warheads as of January 2026. Of those, 2,604 were in storage, another 1,020 were considered retired, and 1,796 were deployed on delivery systems and ready for use.

The report noted that Russia’s deployed warhead count has risen for four consecutive years. Russia had 1,588 deployed warheads in 2022, 1,674 in 2023, 1,710 in 2024 and 1,718 in 2025. Compared with 2020, the number has increased by about 14%.

The United States, which has one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals, did not increase its deployed warhead count over the same period, leaving the total at about 1,770. Britain and France have 120 and 280 deployed warheads, respectively.

China, meanwhile, increased its number of deployed warheads from 24 to 34, with a total arsenal of about 620. India began deploying nuclear weapons on its nuclear submarines. It had 12 deployed warheads in 2025, while its total arsenal is estimated at 190.

SIPRI estimates that Russia’s land-based forces could use up to 1,092 nuclear warheads. Of those, 892 are deployed on intercontinental ballistic missiles. Russia’s navy also has 13 strategic submarines capable of carrying up to 928 warheads in total. With two submarines undergoing repairs, 704 warheads are effectively available for deployment.

Another 586 warheads are assigned to Russia’s strategic aviation forces. SIPRI said Russia was forced to move a significant share of its Tu-160/M and Tu-95MS strategic bombers to remote airfields, including Belaya, Dyagilevo and Olenya, after Ukrainian Defense Forces struck Russian air bases in 2025.

SIPRI experts said that while the total number of nuclear weapons worldwide is declining as retired warheads are gradually dismantled, the number of operationally deployed nuclear warheads is rising each year. The institute estimates that the trend could continue and even intensify in the coming years.

Russia’s nuclear doctrine

On Nov. 19, 2024, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin approved a new Russian nuclear doctrine amid reports that the United States had for the first time allowed Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes inside Russia with ATACMS missiles. The doctrine sets out five key conditions for the use of nuclear weapons.

On Nov. 21, Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine for the first time since the invasion began. The missile is designed to deliver a nuclear warhead. Putin later said Russia had “tested” the intermediate-range Oreshnik ballistic missile against Ukraine.

In May 2025, the Danwatch project and Spiegel reported that Russia had invested heavily in recent years in the comprehensive modernization of nuclear facilities in Orenburg Oblast, including by using products made by Western companies.

In April 2026, U.S. Space Command chief Gen. Stephen Whiting told The Times that Russia plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space to destroy satellites, part of a trend toward increased Russian aggression since the start of the war against Ukraine.