Russian Nuclear Forces

Russian early-warning satellites may not be dead yet

The earlier post about the status of the space-based segment of the Russian early-warning system got some media attention, which led colleagues to…

4 hrs ago • Pavel Podvig

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December 2025

The space segment of the Russian early-warning system is not in good shape

Only one satellite appears to be operational

Dec 28, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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Oreshnik in Belarus?

There are reasons to be skeptical

Dec 27, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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Deployment of Yars missiles in Kozelsk completed

In the traditional 17 December interview marking the anniversary of the Strategic Rocket Forces (established on that day in 1959), commander Sergey…

Dec 18, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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Any space-based missile defense will have to meet actual missiles

Although the Golden Dome will soon mark its first anniversary, there is still not much clarity on what the system will consist of, what it will be asked…

Dec 16, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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A cancelled or postponed Yars launch from Plesetsk

On 1 December 2025 Russia issued a series of NOTAM notifications that indicated an upcoming ICBM launch from Plesetsk to Kura during the 3-7 December…

Dec 16, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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Was there a Bulava launch in June 2025?

The Knyaz Pozharsky submarine of the Project 955A/Borey-A class was accepted for service in July 2025. The formal acceptance would normally take place…

Dec 7, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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November 2025

A failed test launch in Yasnyy/Dombarovskiy

On 28 November 2025, local Russian media and then Telegram channels reported an explosion near Yasnyy in Orenburg oblast.

Nov 28, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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Launch of three communication satellites from Plesetsk

On 25 November 2025, at 16:42 MSK (13:42 UTC) crews of the Air and Space Forces conducted a successful launch of an Angara 1.2 launcher from the launch…

Nov 26, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

First Sarmat ICBM may be deployed in 2025

Speaking at the award ceremony for the designers of Burevestnik and Poseidon, the Russian president mentioned another strategic system, Sarmat:

Nov 12, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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October 2025

The end of the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement

The commitment not to use PMDA plutonium for military purposes appears to remain in place

Oct 28, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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Strategic exercises and their goals

An overview of Russian strategic exercises and their stated goals

Oct 27, 2025 • Pavel Podvig

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