Putin orders preparations for nuclear weapons tests

Putin instructs relevant agencies to prepare for nuclear tests

Vladimir Putin instructed Russia's security forces and agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to begin preparations for possible nuclear weapons tests. The Kremlin explains this by the need to test the readiness of the relevant systems and to work out coordination between agencies.

The government's mandate and who is involved

According to official sources, the order is being implemented:

• Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation - assessment of technical and operational readiness;

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs - working with diplomatic channels and informing international partners;

• other law enforcement agencies and controlled entities - coordination of logistics and security.

The relevant agencies were given deadlines for preparations and tasks to conduct internal audits. The notifications emphasise the «preventive» nature of the measures and the need to strictly follow security procedures.

Context and possible consequences

The order comes amid heightened international tensions and increased sanctions pressure. Such steps could lead to another deterioration in relations with Western countries and trigger a diplomatic response, including condemnation and new sanctions.

Experts emphasise that even preparatory measures around the nuclear issue seriously reduce the space for de-escalation and increase instability in the region.

Official comments and reactions of the international community

At the time of publication, there have been no official statements from Western governments on the reaction; the relevant ministries and international organisations are expected to release positions in the coming hours. Diplomatic services in several countries have expressed concern over similar reports in the past.

What we know now and what to expect

1. Agencies should provide reports on the readiness and possible timing of any activities.

2. The MFA is likely to start contacting embassies and international organisations to inform and reduce the risk of misunderstanding.

3. Observers are watching for further statements from the Kremlin and reactions from partners.