Nuclear Test Buzz: Putin Might Dust Off a Cold‑War Launchpad
Dmitry Stefanovich, a Moscow‑based military specialist and fellow of the Russian Academy of Science, has floated a warning that Vladimir Putin could be on the brink of starting nuclear missile tests again—something that hasn’t happened since the early 1990s.
Why the Arctic Archipelago matters
Stefanovich says the former Soviet test site in the Novaya Zemlya archipelago is in prime condition. “The technology is in place, and we have the expensive machinery that lets us verify bombs without actual launches,” he explained. “In the next decade or so, the debate might shift more to technical arguments than raw firepower.”
Who’s in the loop?
- The Russian Centre for International Security is the primary voice behind these claims.
- Russian “pro‑war” officials have already toured the site, giving doubt‑filled Western leaders a peek at what’s ready.
- Lieutenant General Andrey Gurulev posted a brief photo from the Arctic location, saying, “I could talk about the site all day, but I can’t. All I can say is we’re fully combat ready.”
- Rear‑Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn, director of the facility, declared, “The test site is ready to resume full‑scale testing. The labs, equipment, and personnel are all set. If an order is given, we’ll start testing in any moment.”
When will the next blast hit?
Stefanovich tempers the headline with a stark observation: “We’re closer now than we’ve ever been since North Korea’s last nuclear tests.” Yet he also warns that once newer generations step up the leadership ladder at nuclear complexes, these discussions—whether about logistics, politics, or ritual—will only get louder.
Subtle Signalling
While the world watches, Putin’s compliance or refusal will likely unfold in quiet, bureaucratic moves rather than flashy speeches. As ever, the strongest diplomatic tool remains observation and restraint—let’s hope the Kremlin chooses prudence over peril.
