Russia’s Deployed Nuclear Warheads Hit Post-2017 High

Russia has expanded the number of operational nuclear warheads deployed on delivery systems for a fourth consecutive year, bringing its deployed total to the highest level since 2017, according to the annual World Nuclear Forces report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). As of January 2026, Russia possessed an estimated total inventory of 5,420 nuclear warheads. Of that total, 2,604 warheads were held in central storage, 1,020 were retired and awaiting dismantlement, and 1,796 were operationally deployed on ballistic missiles and strategic bombers.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. According to SIPRI data, Russia’s deployed arsenal has grown incrementally since 2022, rising from 1,588 operational warheads in 2022 to 1,674 in 2023, 1,710 in 2024, 1,718 in 2025, and 1,796 in early 2026. The current deployed figure represents an approximate 14% increase compared to 2020 levels. By comparison, the US maintained an estimated 1,770 deployed warheads over the same timeframe out of an overall stockpile comparable with that of Russia. Among other declared nuclear-weapon states, France maintained 280 deployed warheads, while the United Kingdom deployed 120. China increased its deployed warheads from 24 to 34 out of an estimated total inventory of 620 warheads. India also initiated operational sea-based nuclear deployments aboard ballistic missile submarines, maintaining approximately 12 deployed warheads in 2025 from a total arsenal estimated at 190 weapons. Other Topics of Interest Drones Strike Taganrog Airfield and Tolyatti Chemical Plant Ukrainian drones struck the Taganrog military airfield and ignited a major fire at the KuibyshevAzot chemical plant in Tolyatti early Saturday morning, Sept. 12. Triad distribution and dispersal of strategic bombers According to the institute’s breakdown, Russian ground-based Strategic Rocket Forces account for up to 1,092 operational warheads, with roughly 892 deployed on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Russia’s naval triad comprises 13 strategic nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) capable of carrying up to 928 warheads. With two submarines undergoing long-term maintenance and overhaul, SIPRI estimated that approximately 704 submarine-launched warheads are currently available for operational deployment. An estimated 586 nuclear warheads are allocated to the Russian Aerospace Forces’ strategic long-range aviation. SIPRI noted that following precision strikes by Ukrainian forces against Russian military airbases in 2025, the Russian military dispersed a significant portion of its Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers to remote northern and eastern facilities, including the Belaya, Dyagilevo, and Olenya airfields. While global aggregate warhead counts continue to decrease gradually as retired Cold War-era weapons are dismantled, SIPRI researchers highlighted that the number of ready, operationally deployed warheads is climbing across several nuclear-armed powers, assessing that the upward trend is likely to persist over the coming years. Kremlin nuclear signaling against European neighbors The SIPRI findings coincide with intensified nuclear rhetoric from Moscow directed at NATO member states in Eastern and Northern Europe. On Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Lithuania would be targeted by Russian nuclear systems if Vilnius proceeds with constitutional amendments lifting its ban on hosting foreign nuclear weapons. “If there are nuclear weapons on the territory that are aimed at us, then the territory of this country will also be in the sights of our nuclear weapons,” Peskov stated on Russian state television. The warning followed a 7-2 vote on Wednesday, Sept. 9, by Lithuania’s parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs to advance draft constitutional revisions, with a definitive legislative vote scheduled for early 2027. The measure would establish the legal authority for NATO allies to deploy nuclear capabilities to Lithuanian soil during crisis scenarios. Regional security tensions have grown since Russia began stationing tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus in June 2023. In December 2025, Moscow deployed its intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) system, designated Oreshnik, to Belarusian territory following its initial combat use against targets in Ukraine, while Russian and Belarusian forces carried out joint tactical nuclear exercises in May. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.