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How many nuclear weapons does Russia have? Putin threats: How many nuclear weapons does Russia have?
(7 months later)
President Putin has put Russia's nuclear forces on "special" alert, raising concerns around the world. US President Joe Biden has warned that the risk of a nuclear "Armageddon" is at its highest level for 60 years.
But analysts suggest his actions should probably be interpreted as a warning to other countries not to escalate their involvement in Ukraine, rather than signalling any desire to use nuclear weapons. Mr Biden said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "not joking" when he warned that Moscow would use "all means we have" to defend Russian territory. Mr Putin has also said that the US created a "precedent" by using nuclear weapons in World War Two.
But analysts suggest Mr Putin's words should probably be interpreted as a warning to other countries not to escalate their involvement in Ukraine, rather than signalling any desire to use nuclear weapons.
Nuclear weapons have existed for almost 80 years and many countries see them as a deterrent that continues to guarantee their national security.Nuclear weapons have existed for almost 80 years and many countries see them as a deterrent that continues to guarantee their national security.
How many nuclear weapons does Russia have?How many nuclear weapons does Russia have?
All figures for nuclear weapons are estimates but, according to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has 5,977 nuclear warheads - the devices that trigger a nuclear explosion - though this includes about 1,500 that are retired and set to to be dismantled.All figures for nuclear weapons are estimates but, according to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has 5,977 nuclear warheads - the devices that trigger a nuclear explosion - though this includes about 1,500 that are retired and set to to be dismantled.
Of the remaining 4,500 or so, most are considered strategic nuclear weapons - ballistic missiles, or rockets, which can be targeted over long distances. These are the weapons usually associated with nuclear war.Of the remaining 4,500 or so, most are considered strategic nuclear weapons - ballistic missiles, or rockets, which can be targeted over long distances. These are the weapons usually associated with nuclear war.
The rest are smaller, less destructive nuclear weapons for short-range use on battlefields or at sea.The rest are smaller, less destructive nuclear weapons for short-range use on battlefields or at sea.
But this does not mean Russia has thousands of long-range nuclear weapons ready to go.But this does not mean Russia has thousands of long-range nuclear weapons ready to go.
Experts estimate around 1,500 Russian warheads are currently "deployed", meaning sited at missile and bomber bases or on submarines at sea.Experts estimate around 1,500 Russian warheads are currently "deployed", meaning sited at missile and bomber bases or on submarines at sea.
How does this compare with other countries?How does this compare with other countries?
Nine countries have nuclear weapons: China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the US and the UK.Nine countries have nuclear weapons: China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the US and the UK.
China, France, Russia, the US and the UK are also among 191 states signed up to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).China, France, Russia, the US and the UK are also among 191 states signed up to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Under the agreement, they have to reduce their stockpile of nuclear warheads and, in theory, are committed to their complete elimination.Under the agreement, they have to reduce their stockpile of nuclear warheads and, in theory, are committed to their complete elimination.
And it has reduced the number of warheads stored in those countries since the 1970 and 80s.And it has reduced the number of warheads stored in those countries since the 1970 and 80s.
India, Israel and Pakistan never joined the NPT - and North Korea left in 2003.India, Israel and Pakistan never joined the NPT - and North Korea left in 2003.
Israel is the only country of the nine never to have formally acknowledged its nuclear programme - but it is widely accepted to have nuclear warheads.Israel is the only country of the nine never to have formally acknowledged its nuclear programme - but it is widely accepted to have nuclear warheads.
Ukraine has no nuclear weapons and, despite accusations by President Putin, there is no evidence it has attempted to acquire them.Ukraine has no nuclear weapons and, despite accusations by President Putin, there is no evidence it has attempted to acquire them.
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UKRAINE: Desperate scenes in Lviv train station READ MORE: Full coverage of the crisis
IN DEPTH: Full coverage of the conflict
How destructive are nuclear weapons?How destructive are nuclear weapons?
Nuclear weapons are designed to cause maximum devastation.Nuclear weapons are designed to cause maximum devastation.
The extent of the destruction depends on a range of factors, including:The extent of the destruction depends on a range of factors, including:
the size of the warheadthe size of the warhead
how high above the ground it detonateshow high above the ground it detonates
the local environmentthe local environment
But even the smallest warhead could cause huge loss of life and lasting consequences.But even the smallest warhead could cause huge loss of life and lasting consequences.
The bomb that killed up to 146,000 people in Hiroshima, Japan, during World War Two, was 15 kilotons.The bomb that killed up to 146,000 people in Hiroshima, Japan, during World War Two, was 15 kilotons.
And nuclear warheads today can be more than 1,000 kilotons.And nuclear warheads today can be more than 1,000 kilotons.
Little is expected to survive in the immediate impact zone of a nuclear explosion.Little is expected to survive in the immediate impact zone of a nuclear explosion.
After a blinding flash, there is a huge fireball and blast wave that can destroy buildings and structures for several kilometres.After a blinding flash, there is a huge fireball and blast wave that can destroy buildings and structures for several kilometres.
What does 'nuclear deterrent' mean and has it worked?What does 'nuclear deterrent' mean and has it worked?
The argument for maintaining large numbers of nuclear weapons has been having the capacity to completely destroy your enemy would prevent them from attacking you.The argument for maintaining large numbers of nuclear weapons has been having the capacity to completely destroy your enemy would prevent them from attacking you.
The most famous term for this became mutually assured destruction (Mad).The most famous term for this became mutually assured destruction (Mad).
Though there have been many nuclear tests and a constant increase in their technical complexity and destructive power, nuclear weapons have not been used in an armed confrontation since 1945.Though there have been many nuclear tests and a constant increase in their technical complexity and destructive power, nuclear weapons have not been used in an armed confrontation since 1945.
Russian policy also acknowledges nuclear weapons solely as a deterrent and lists four cases for their use:Russian policy also acknowledges nuclear weapons solely as a deterrent and lists four cases for their use:
the launch of ballistic missiles attacking the territory of the Russian Federation or its alliesthe launch of ballistic missiles attacking the territory of the Russian Federation or its allies
the use of nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction against the Russian Federation or its alliesthe use of nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction against the Russian Federation or its allies
an attack on critical governmental or military sites of the Russian Federation that threatens its nuclear capabilityan attack on critical governmental or military sites of the Russian Federation that threatens its nuclear capability
aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardyaggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardy
How worried should we be? The likelihood of nuclear conflict may have gone up slightly but remains low. The use of nuclear weapons is far from likely
Even if Putin's threat is meant as a warning rather than signalling any current desire to use the weapons, there is always the risk of miscalculation if one side misinterprets the other or events get out of hand. The shadow of nuclear weapons has hung over this conflict from its earliest days - and that has been a deliberate choice on the part of Vladimir Putin.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told BBC News the UK had so far seen no change in the actual posture of Russia's nuclear weapons. He has raised their use at moments when he has been on the back foot - for instance after the failure of his initial February plan to quickly overthrow the Ukrainian government and now again when a Ukrainian offensive has driven his forces back,
That will be watched closely, intelligence sources confirm. His hope will be that a reminder of the devastating power of these weapons will intimidate and deter his opponents and force them to rethink how far they are willing to push.
You can read more from Gordon Corera here. There is also a domestic motive - the Russian population will be worried by the partial mobilisation and Putin's own claims that Nato is somehow threatening Russia itself. Talking about nuclear weapons is a way of reassuring domestic opinion that despite this dark turn, the country remains capable of defending itself.
Russian military doctrine says nuclear weapons will only be used if the Russian state itself is threatened. It was notable that Putin framed their use in a defensive sense responding to what he claimed were Western nuclear threats.
His reference to this not being a 'bluff' referred to a situation when Russia's territorial integrity was threatened. An important question is how far Russia sees its territory extending after the upcoming referenda in Ukrainian territory.
All of this suggests that the use of nuclear weapons is far from imminent or even likely.
While the possibility of their use can not be dismissed, especially if Putin feels the security of the state threatened, the response from the West for the moment will likely be to watch closely Russia's actual behaviour rather than the rhetoric and to remain focused on their strategy.