Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that expanding Russia’s “nuclear triad” is now an “absolute priority,” using Defender of the Fatherland Day to underline Moscow’s weapons ambitions while handing out awards to officers tied to the invasion of Ukraine. Nothing says national holiday like talking nukes, right?
Putin described the nuclear triad — Russia’s three-part system for delivering nuclear weapons — as the key to guaranteeing the country’s security and maintaining what he called “effective strategic deterrence and a balance of forces in the world.” In other words, Moscow wants everyone to know it still has a very big stick.
He also stressed that Russia will continue strengthening its army and navy, citing lessons learned from combat in Ukraine. According to Putin, other branches of the military will see “significant” upgrades in readiness, mobility, and the ability to operate under even the toughest conditions. He added that Russia would accelerate the development of advanced military systems, making it clear this isn’t just talk for the cameras.
These comments follow Russia’s 2023 suspension of its participation in the New START Treaty, the last major nuclear arms control agreement with the United States, which limited deployed warheads and delivery systems. Russian officials insist they will still act “responsibly” and respect existing limits — a reassuring phrase that somehow never feels quite reassuring.
Putin’s remarks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the invasion of Ukraine effectively marked the start of “World War III.” In an interview, Zelenskyy said Putin “will not stop at Ukraine” and framed the war as part of a broader effort to impose a new way of life on the world.
Zelenskyy argued that stopping Putin now would be a victory not just for Ukraine but for everyone, while cautioning that even if a peace deal handed Russia the contested Donbas region, Moscow would likely rebuild its forces within a couple of years and invade again.
So while Moscow talks deterrence and Kyiv talks apocalypse, the real story is the same one we’ve seen for years: a dangerous regime flexing its muscle and a war that refuses to fade quietly into history. The upside? The world is paying attention — and when free nations stay alert and united, even nuclear threats don’t get the final word.
