Introduction
Post expiry of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty on 5 February 2026, Russia voluntarily committed to follow the treaty’s quantitative limits for one additional year. This cautious step came along with continued modernisation efforts, including the delivery of two upgraded Tu-160M strategic bombers in late 2025. These developments mark a significant change in Russia’s nuclear posture, focused on integration, modernisation, and streamlined management of both conventional and nuclear operations. These changes aim to reduce response times from target acquisition/ identification to weapon launch while addressing perceived threats from United States missile defences and precision-guided munitions. Although this is intended to strengthen deterrence, such advancements risk blurring the boundaries between conventional and nuclear forces, particularly in the current conflict in Ukraine.
