The Kremlin regularly threatens the world with its nuclear arsenal. This time, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Riabkov said that Russia does not rule out the possibility of resuming nuclear tests “in response to similar actions by the United States”. He explained that "similar actions" meant nuclear tests by the United States, but this statement was made during a discussion about Russia's response to possible Western long-range weapons strikes on its territory.

The Russian diplomat also noted that all the infrastructure necessary for nuclear testing appears to be in full readiness at the testing site on the Nova Zemlia archipelago (Russia).

The Center for Countering Disinformation emphasizes that in this way Riabkov is trying to manipulate public opinion and justify another act of nuclear blackmail, positioning it as “retaliatory actions”. By signaling its readiness for nuclear escalation, Moscow is seeking to demonstrate its strength and intimidate Ukraine’s Western partners so that they abandon the idea of granting permission to strike Russian territory with their weapons. It should be noted that the Russian diplomat made the statement against the backdrop of information appearing in the media about the explosion of the Sarmat intercontinental missile during tests.