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Moscow Declares Ocean Readiness for Its Strategic Nuclear Fleet
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Nikolai Patrushev, an aide to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, announced on July 15, that Russia’s strategic naval nuclear forces are in a state of full combat readiness.
The announcement highlights Moscow's ongoing efforts to project naval power far beyond its territorial waters, framing the operational status of its nuclear fleet as a direct response to potential adversaries, as reported by NV.
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According to Patrushev, these naval developments, including shipbuilding programs, are projected through 2050 to address emerging strategic challenges.
The Kremlin claims its naval forces protect national interests not only near Russian borders but also across various regions of the World Ocean. Patrushev stated, "All threats emanating from prospective adversaries are taken into account in the development plans of the Navy, particularly in the Navy Development Strategy until 2050. Special attention is paid to these threats in the draft Navy shipbuilding program until 2050."
The move also follows joint military exercises conducted in mid-May by Russia and Belarus. Initiated by Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, these drills focused on the operational deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons, utilizing ground-based, aerial, and naval delivery platforms.
During the exercises, Russia moved tactical nuclear munitions to storage sites in Belarus, with both leaders physically commanding the simulated launches.
"China reacted very seriously, very harshly, and clearly to media statements in Russia regarding various possibilities for the use of nuclear weapons. And it seems to me that for the first time they reacted very clearly and very harshly, as leaders told me, in the form of an ultimatum that there cannot even be thoughts about the use of nuclear weapons," Zelenskyy said.
In May 2026, Russia deployed anti-drone netting over its strategic nuclear-powered submarines at the Rybachiy naval base in Kamchatka, located approximately 7,400 kilometers from Ukraine.
Satellite imagery from the facility, which serves as a primary homeport for Russia’s Pacific Fleet nuclear submarine force, revealed that protective net structures had been installed above at least two Borei and Borei-A class submarines. These vessels, each equipped with 16 "Bulava" intercontinental ballistic missiles, were considered a key component of Russia’s naval nuclear deterrent.
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