Nuclear nerves: As a global nuclear power, instability in Russia comes with added complications
March on Moscow
Russia appeared on the verge of a coup on Saturday, as an armed rebellion from the Wagner Group — frustrated with the Russian defense ministry, treatment of its mercenaries, and progress in Ukraine — marched on the capital.
The paramilitary group, a de facto private army founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, promptly halted its advance on Moscow after a peace deal brokered by Belarus at the last minute prevented a potential civil war in Russia.
The sudden chaos and instability in Russia was a sharp reminder that the country remains the world’s largest nuclear power. Although stockpiles have been greatly reduced, Russia still holds some 4,500 nuclear warheads — more than the ~3,700 in the US.
A new, new START
The good news is that US officials say they haven’t detected any irregular activity from Russia’s nuclear forces. But the events of the weekend, which experts believe were the most severe threat to Vladimir Putin in his 23 years in power, leave question marks over the fragility of the nuclear agreements that have governed the arsenals of the two countries since the Cold War.
In February, Russia suspended its participation in the New START treaty, an agreement which cuts the number of long-range nuclear missiles, although Moscow said that it still plans to observe the limits on the number of strategic warheads that can be deployed under the accord until the treaty expires in 2026.
