Russia Hints at New Nuclear Tests

3 min readSep 19, 2024

Moscow: The head of Russia’s top nuclear test site said on Tuesday that its secret facility is ready to resume tests “at any time” if Moscow gives the order. The unusual statement could raise concerns about the heightened risk of such a move.

Meanwhile, Russia’s top security official, Sergei Shoigu, met with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran on the same day, according to Russian and Iranian media reports. This comes days after Shoigu met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang.

Russian forces have captured the town of Ukrainsk, part of the strategic Donetsk region, as they continue their push westward with the aim of capturing the entire Donbas region.

The town, which had a population of just over 10,000 before the war, has now become a new base for Russia’s offensive operations. According to pro-Russian military bloggers, Russian forces have captured the town almost intact, allowing them to expand their offensive further.

While there has been no confirmation from the Russian or Ukrainian defense ministries, the troop movements add to the pressure on Ukraine, which is still struggling to defend its territory from an increasingly aggressive attack.

Nuclear test readiness
In a rare and alarming statement, the head of Russia’s nuclear test site, Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn, said the facility is ready to resume nuclear tests “at any time” if ordered by Moscow. The remarks, published in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, signal a potential escalation in Russia’s nuclear posture.

Russia has not conducted a nuclear test since 1990, but recent tensions and discussions about Western support for Ukraine have raised concerns about a new nuclear test. Analysts say the move could be intended to send a strong message of deterrence to the West and could even spark a new global arms race.

In related diplomatic news, Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s top security official, met with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran. The meeting follows Shoigu’s recent discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Russia’s growing ties with Iran and North Korea, both US foes, have raised international concerns, especially with allegations that those countries are supplying Russia with military technology.

The discussions between Shoigu and Iranian officials came against the backdrop of Kyiv’s push for Western countries to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons, potentially further escalating the conflict.
US eyes Chinese uranium imports
In another development, the Biden administration is investigating a surge in Chinese imports of enriched uranium, which have surged since late 2023.

The increase has raised concerns that China may be helping Russia circumvent a US ban on Russian uranium imports, which is aimed at undermining Russia’s war effort.

The US Department of Energy closely monitors these imports to ensure compliance with new regulations designed to reduce reliance on Russian nuclear fuel.

The situation underscores the complex interplay between global trade and geopolitics in the context of ongoing conflicts.

Meta bans Russian media
In the digital realm, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has imposed a global ban on Russian state-owned media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya.

The move follows allegations of deceptive tactics used by these outlets to influence public opinion. The Kremlin has criticized Meta’s decision, highlighting the strained relationship between Russia and major social media platforms.

Ongoing conflict and attacks
Conflict continues to grip the region, with Russia fending off multiple Ukrainian attempts to breach its border in the Kursk region. Meanwhile, Russia has launched missile attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s Sumy region, causing significant power outages.

As the situation develops, the global community is watching closely, grappling with the implications of these developments for international security and diplomatic relations.

Russia Hints at New Nuclear Tests

Written by Wrath-of-Man tw