Nuclear security

Interview: Dmitry Stefanovich on Russia’s Nuclear Forces and Doctrine

The Diplomat: The Federation of American Scientists estimates that the Russian strategic and non-strategic nuclear forces possess roughly 4,490 nuclear warheads, of which around 1,600 are strategic warheads. Overall, Russia still possesses roughly 6,400 warheads. Can you briefly outline the composition and organizational structure of the Russian nuclear forces?

Stefanovich: To make it simple, let’s separate “strategic” and “less strategic” (I don’t like the word “tactical”) nuclear weapons and delivery systems as a start. Strategic systems are relatively easy – they are described in the New START, and are a mix of:

• Intercontinental ballistic missiles (silo-based and road-mobile) under the command of Strategic Rocket Forces (SRF/RVSN) accounting for around 40 percent of strategic nuclear warheads,
• Submarine-launched ballistic missiles under the Navy (with SSBNs separated between North and Pacific fleets) accounting for around 30 percent strategic nuclear warheads,
• Heavy bombers (although “strategic missile-carriers,” frequently used by the Russian media and military spokespeople, might be a more correct term) under the Russian Air Force armed with long-range cruise missiles and remaining nuclear warheads.