Russia's nuclear arms buildup fuels renewed global arms race

A new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute warns that the nine nuclear-weapon states are entering a fresh arms race. Sipri expert Matt Korda said, “We are already in a new nuclear arms race,” as each state expands its arsenals quantitatively or qualitatively. The United States and Russia together hold about 83% of the world’s warheads, and the New START treaty between them has expired, reducing transparency. China is expanding its stockpile faster than any other country, while Europe sees greater involvement in nuclear‑sharing partnerships.

Separate investigations of Russia’s Oreschnik missile – touted by President Vladimir Putin as a modern “wonder weapon” – suggest the system incorporates older components dating back to 2017 and may be a modernised RS‑26 Rubezh. UN disarmament researcher Pavel Podvig warned that the missile “could threaten almost all of Europe,” and a Ukrainian forensics expert said, “We were quite surprised.” The findings cast doubt on Russia’s claims of a wholly new strategic capability amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.