World on edge: Putin poised for first nuclear bomb tests in 35 years at Arctic site

Russia nuclear test: For the first time in more than three decades, Russia may be preparing to resume nuclear bomb testing, a move that has sent ripples of concern across the globe.

Russia Prepares for First Nuclear Test After 35 Years

Military expert Dmitry Stefanovich has signalled that the country is now closer than it has been in 35 years to reigniting nuclear testing, with the former Soviet Arctic test site in the Novaya Zemlya archipelago ready, and testing can begin as soon as Russian president Vladimir Putin gives the order, as per The Mirror report.

Stefanovich, working at the Russian Centre for International Security, and a member of the Russian Academy of Science, said, “We are closer to this situation than at any point since North Korea’s last nuclear tests," as quoted in the report.


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Novaya Zemlya Test Site Fully Prepped, Say Russian Officials

Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn, director of the Arctic test facility, revealed that, “The test site is ready to resume full-scale testing activities,” adding, "It is fully ready. The laboratory and testing facilities are ready. The personnel are ready. If the order is given, we will begin testing at any moment,” as quoted in the report.

Lieutenant general Andrey Gurulev shared from the location that, “You know, there’s a lot of fascinating stuff I could say about the test site – but sadly, I cannot. The only thing I can say is – we’re fully combat ready,” as quoted by The Mirror.

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Top Military Voices Push for Nuclear Show of Force Amid Ukraine War

The possibility of Russia restarting nuclear tests is not just about military power, it’s a message. Some hardliners in Moscow are calling on Putin to conduct a test as a direct warning to the West, that he will not compromise over Ukraine, according to the report.

Stefanovich said that pressure would come for tests from new experts set to secure positions in Russia’s nuclear weapons complex, reported The Mirror. He said, “Once a new generation takes over in leadership positions within nuclear weapons complexes, these discussions will intensify,” as quoted in the report.

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No Technical Need for Tests, Say Russian Security Experts

However, Stefanovich argued that there was no technical reason for fresh tests, saying, “We have the technology and extremely expensive machines that allow us to verify the warheads without live tests,” adding, "I fear that within the next 10 or 15 years it will be the technical arguments that dominate,” as quoted by The Mirror.

Vladimir Putin Yet to Approve Nuclear Test

While Putin has not confirmed his decision, signals from top military figures suggest preparations are complete and the location, Novaya Zemlya, was once the site for the Soviet Union’s Cold War nuclear tests, including the most powerful nuclear bomb ever detonated, the Tsar Bomb, which was tested there on October 30, 1961, as reported by The Mirror.

Between 1955 and 1990, the Soviet Union conducted a total of 130 nuclear tests at Novaya Zemlya, 86 in the atmosphere, 39 underground, and three underwater, The Mirror reported, citing declassified records.

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FAQs

Is Russia conducting a nuclear test?
Russia hasn’t confirmed it officially, but top military officials say the Arctic test site is fully prepared and just waiting for Putin’s order, as per The Mirror report.

Where would the test take place?
At the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic, a former Soviet test site used during the Cold War, as per The Mirror report.