Nuclear threats

Russian state media publishes then deletes article about new ‘special military operation’

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti briefly published and then deleted an article on September 25 warning of a new, short “special military operation” against Lithuania, independent outlet Agentstvo reported.

25 September, 02:19 PM

China will stop Russia from using nukes, Finland's Stubb says

China is a "pretty good deterrence" against Russian escalation in its war on Ukraine, and Beijing will prevent Moscow from using nuclear weapons, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in an interview with German journalist Paul Ronzheimer, Politico reported on Aug. 31.

31 August, 05:04 PM

What is known about France’s nuclear umbrella plan for Germany

Germany is among nine European countries that have been offered French nuclear protection, according to a report by Der Spiegel detailing growing cooperation between Berlin and Paris on nuclear deterrence on May 30.

30 May, 10:57 PM

Pentagon drafting four ‘final blow’ options on Iran for Trump

The Pentagon is preparing “final blow” options against Iran for President Donald Trump that could include ground operations and a large-scale bombing campaign, Axios reported on March 26, citing sources.

26 March, 08:50 PM

ISW exposes Russia’s calculated use of Medvedev’s nuclear rhetoric

The Kremlin is deliberately downplaying the role of Security Council Deputy Chair Dmitry Medvedev in Russia’s actual decision-making, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on Aug. 4.

5 August 2025, 10:30 AM

Israel’s attack on Iran 10 times stronger than expected, says Trump

Israel’s June 13 airstrikes on Iran were ten times stronger than Tehran anticipated, potentially pushing Iran toward negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News.

14 June 2025, 11:09 AM

IAEA warns of ongoing nuclear safety risks in Ukraine amid Russian attacks

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned during a Kyiv visit on June 3 that Russian air attacks pose a persistent threat to Ukraine’s nuclear safety, the IAEA press service reported on June 3.

4 June 2025, 02:50 PM

IAEA chief returns to Ukraine to assess growing nuclear risks

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi is beginning his 11th visit to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to his Feb. 3 post on X.

4 February 2025, 08:54 AM

Russia’s Oreshnik missile is more bluff than breakthrough - The Economist

Charred fragments of the Russian Oreshek missile, which Russia launched at Ukraine in November 2024, indicate that it is merely a modernized version of the Soviet RS-26 Rubezh medium-range ballistic missile, the Economist wrote on Jan. 23.

24 January 2025, 03:48 PM

No immediate nuclear threat from Russia despite new doctrine, Pentagon says

Russia's update of its nuclear doctrine was not a surprise to the United States, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said at a Nov. 19 press briefing, commenting on Moscow’s expansion of the conditions for nuclear response.

20 November 2024, 08:16 AM

Putin’s nuclear threats should not be taken seriously - Polish Foreign Minister

The West should not take Putin’s nuclear threats seriously amid discussions about lifting ban on long-range strikes deeper into Russia, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said in an interview with European Pravda on Sept. 16.

16 September 2024, 12:28 PM

Kremlin’s ‘talking head’ calls NATO Summit communique a ‘threat’ to Russia

Russian dictator’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled the NATO summit declaration a “serious threat to the security” of Russia and warned the West with “countermeasures,” BBC reported on July 11.

11 July 2024, 02:46 PM

Russia considers nuclear strategy changes after Western rejection of threats

The Russian Foreign Ministry is dissatisfied that Western countries are no longer afraid of nuclear blackmail from Vladimir Putin and his henchmen, Deputy Minister Sergei Ryabkov, said in an interview with Kremlin propagandists on July 8.

9 July 2024, 02:51 PM

Minsk ready to use tactical nukes, general warns

Minsk is ready to use tactical nuclear weapons in response to any threat to the country's "sovereignty and independence," Belarusian Chief of General Staff Pavel Muraveika said, the state news agency BELTA reported on June 30.

1 July 2024, 11:38 AM

NATO considers nuclear alert, says Stoltenberg

NATO is in talks to deploy more nuclear weapons amid rising threats from Russia and China, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with The Telegraph on June 16.

17 June 2024, 02:36 PM

US warns Russia of total destruction if nukes are used in Ukraine — Polish FM

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed skepticism about Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons, saying that the United States warned Russia it would destroy all its targets in Ukraine if they did so, according to an interview with The Guardian on May 25.

25 May 2024, 01:55 PM

Over 50 IAEA delegations unite to hold Russia accountable for safety threats at occupied ZNPP

54 delegations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supported a statement prepared by Ukraine on threats to nuclear and radiation safety posed by Russia, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry reported on May 22.

22 May 2024, 07:34 PM

Despite 'reckless rhetoric', Russia not planning to use nukes - White House

Despite Russia's "aggressive rhetoric," the U.S. sees no signs that the aggressor nation is preparing to use nuclear weapons, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby said.

7 May 2024, 01:26 PM

Von der Leyen urges Xi Jinping to deter Moscow’s irresponsible nuclear threats

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to use his influence with Moscow in the face of Russia's "current nuclear threats," German broadcaster Tagesschau reported on May 6.

6 May 2024, 06:49 PM

No signs Russia prepares to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine — US official

The United States sees no signs that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Reuters reported on March 13, citing an unnamed U.S. official.

14 March 2024, 01:27 AM

Nuclear threats