Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated Western fears by placing Moscow's deterrent forces, including nuclear weapons, on 'special alert' over a week ago. As the conflict in Ukraine intensifies, President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested NATO impose a no-fly zone, but the alliance has refused due to fears of triggering a nuclear war.
According to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Russia possesses the largest nuclear arsenal globally, with an estimated 4,447 warheads. Of these, 1,588 are deployed on ballistic missiles and heavy bomber bases, while 977 strategic and 1,912 non-strategic warheads remain in reserve. In contrast, China holds an estimated 350 nuclear warheads, the third-largest stockpile worldwide.
The Federation of American Scientists notes that China's arsenal is dwarfed by Russia's but still significant. The US holds the second-largest stockpile with 5,600 warheads, followed by France (290), the UK (225), Pakistan (165), India (160), Israel, and North Korea.
Despite raising the nuclear alert, Putin's intentions remain unclear. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stated he does not expect Russia to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, saying, 'As much as he might be ambitious for Ukraine, I don't think he wants to go into that space.' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that a third world war would involve nuclear weapons and be destructive, while Putin himself noted in 2018 that nuclear conflict 'would lead to the collapse of the entire civilisation and maybe our planet.'
