A senior Russian diplomat has warned that the risks of a direct confrontation between Russia and the NATO military alliance are escalating, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov made the remarks in an interview with the TASS state news agency on Tuesday, highlighting a growing narrative in European capitals about the 'looming threat of a high-intensity war' with Russia.
Escalating Tensions and Nuclear Risks
Ryabkov stated that 'as a result of this escalation of tensions, including blatantly provocative actions in the nuclear sphere, strategic risks are mounting, as is the danger of a head-on clash between NATO and our country, with all the potentially catastrophic consequences that would entail.' His comments come as Russia's armed forces commenced three days of nuclear weapons drills involving tens of thousands of troops across the country, coinciding with an intensification of Ukrainian drone attacks and President Vladimir Putin's visit to China.
Throughout its offensive in Ukraine, which has now exceeded four years, Moscow has repeatedly brandished its nuclear arsenal and issued threats regarding their potential use. The drills follow the collapse of the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the United States earlier this year, and a series of statements by Putin touting the capabilities of Russia's atomic forces.
Details of the Nuclear Drills
The Russian defence ministry announced that from May 19 to 21, 2026, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are conducting an exercise focused on the preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of a threat of aggression. The war games, which are being staged in Belarus, Russia, and the Arctic, involve more than 65,000 soldiers and 7,800 types of equipment and weapons, including over 200 missile launchers. Aircraft, ships, submarines, and nuclear submarines will all participate, and the ministry confirmed that ballistic and cruise missiles will be test-launched.
The termination of the New START agreement with Washington in February effectively removed restrictions on the world's two largest nuclear powers. Although Russia has pledged to adopt a 'responsible' approach to strategic nuclear capability, Putin has emphasised that developing Russia's nuclear forces remains an 'absolute priority'. Earlier this month, Moscow tested a new long-range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The Satan-2 Missile and Other Developments
Last week, Russia successfully tested its new Satan-2 intercontinental ballistic missile, also known as Sarmat. Putin announced that the missile, a 208-ton, silo-launched rocket the size of a 14-storey building capable of reaching speeds of 15,880 mph, is planned to be placed on combat duty by the end of the year. Designed to deliver nuclear warheads to targets thousands of miles away in the US or Europe, Putin claimed that 'it has the ability to penetrate all existing and future anti-missile defence systems'. Russian state TV propagandists have previously threatened to use the Satan-2 to strike Western targets.
Putin also indicated that work on the 'Poseidon' and 'Burevestnik' nuclear propulsion systems is in its final stages. The Kremlin's propaganda machine has repeatedly asserted that the Poseidon could 'sink' Britain under 'radioactive tidal waves', while the Burevestnik has been dubbed a 'flying Chernobyl'.
Belarus and the Northern Border
Moscow stated that the drills also address issues related to the joint training and use of nuclear weapons deployed on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Russia has already deployed a nuclear-capable missile, the Oreshnik, to its neighbouring ally, which shares a border with NATO. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently accused Moscow of preparing a new offensive from Belarus, ordering his troops to reinforce the northern border.
Putin's Visit to China
The announcement of the drills came just hours before Putin was due to arrive in China for a two-day visit. The leaders of Russia and China are expected to discuss further strengthening their strategic partnership and exchange views on key international and regional issues. Their ties have deepened significantly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Putin visiting Beijing annually. Moscow is diplomatically isolated globally and heavily dependent economically on Beijing, which has become the main buyer of sanctioned Russian oil.
Setting a warm tone for the visit, the two leaders exchanged 'congratulatory letters' on Sunday to mark 30 years of their countries' strategic partnership. Chinese state media reported that Xi Jinping said cooperation between Russia and China had 'continuously deepened and solidified'. In a video message to the Chinese people released on Tuesday, Putin described relations as having reached 'a truly unprecedented level' and noted that 'trade between Russia and China continues to grow'. He added, 'The close strategic relationship between Russia and China plays a major, stabilising role globally. Without allying against anyone, we seek peace and universal prosperity,' without mentioning any third country.
