Putin Says Russia Has Built Rare Nuclear Weapons

Jon Jackson

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said only Russia and the United States have the rare distinction of possessing a modern "nuclear triad," before adding that his country's arsenal is more advanced.

A "nuclear triad" refers to a military structure that consists of land-launched nuclear missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles. China and India—as well as possibly Israel—are said to have nuclear triads, along with the U.S. and Russia.

Throughout the course of the war that Putin launched on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, he and other Kremlin officials have frequently made public mentions of Russia's nuclear power. Western observers have accused Russia of nuclear saber-rattling for such talk, saying the threats are made to discourage outside support for Kyiv.

"Our triad, the nuclear triad, it is more modern than any other triad. Only we and the Americans actually have such triads. And we have advanced much more here," Putin said during a Wednesday interview that aired on Russian state television, according to a translation by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state news agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin during an interview at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 12. During the interview, Putin discussed his country's nuclear arsenal.

The Russian leader then discussed the possibility of using nuclear weapons should his nation's sovereignty be threatened.

"We are ready to use weapons, including any weapons—including the [nuclear] weapons you mentioned—if it is a question of the existence of the Russian state or damage to our sovereignty and independence," Putin said.

He also responded to recent comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, who last month said he did not rule out Western soldiers eventually being sent into Ukraine. Macron backtracked somewhat on the position a few days later, but he has since again said that the topic of Western boots on the ground shouldn't be off limits.

"The fact is that the militaries of Western countries have been present in Ukraine for a long time," Putin said, according to AFP. "But if we talk about official military contingents of foreign countries, I am sure it will not change the situation on the battlefield."

Elsewhere in the interview, Putin addressed the recent escalation of attacks inside Russian territory. Along with this week seeing what's thought to be the largest Ukrainian drone assault on Russia, units of pro-Kyiv militias made up of Russian defectors launched a military operation in southern Russia.

"It's simple. This is all happening against the backdrop of failures on the frontline. They did not achieve any of the goals that they set for themselves last year," Putin said.

"I have no doubt that the main goal is, if not to disrupt the presidential elections in Russia, then to somehow interfere with the normal process."