What nuclear weapons does Russia have?

Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear on Wednesday that he will use all the means at his disposal to protect his country.

Putin has previously issued threats which reference Russia’s nuclear capabilities, but this time, his words come as he ordered the mobilization of as many as 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine.

So, what could that mean? These are the weapons Russia has in its arsenal, according to the Daily Mail.

Warheads

Russia claims to have about 6,000 nuclear warheads, which would make it the country with the largest stockpile in the world.

Some have been deployed, and are either atop ballistic missiles or in storage at bases ready to be loaded on to aircraft, some are being held in reserve and others are no longer in service and waiting to be dismantled.

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Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)

These are the most powerful missiles with the longest range, capable of carrying dozens of warheads that can reach any location in the world. While ICBMs are not designed to be used in conflict, they make up what is known as Russia’s “strategic deterrence force.”

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The Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test at Plesetsk cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk region, Russia, on April 20, 2022. (Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters)Photo by Russian Defence Ministry /Handout via REUTERS

Ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs)

SSBNs, like the Borei-class, are different from nuclear subs in that they can carry nuclear weapons mounted on ballistic missiles. Both are harder to track, making them the stealthiest as a sub can pop up anywhere, before it can be stopped.

Also in Russia’s arsenal is the aptly named Poseidon — not technically a submarine — which is a nuclear-powered underwater drone, making it practically silent, and definitely deadly.

Short-to-medium range missiles

The Kalibr, the Kinzhal and the Iskander are less powerful than their strategic counterparts and are used like conventional bombs – taking out targets. It’s these “tactical nukes,” as they’re also known, that experts and analysts say Putin would use against Ukraine and other enemies.

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Surveillance camera footage shows a flare landing at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant during shelling in Enerhodar, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine March 4, 2022. (NPP via YouTube/Reuters)Photo by NPP via YouTube /Reuters

Artillery

Nuclear artillery, like the 2S7 Pion, is an unconventional weapon developed during and after the Cold War, but it’s available to Putin, adding to his vast collection.

Nuclear bombers

These weapons, which include the Tu-95 and the Tu-160, are the traditional backbone of the nuclear arsenal — older and less of a threat now than they were in the past, they’re still capable of doing the job. Russia has 16 Tu-160s in service and intends to add dozens more.