It was also used in the Cold War, Russia's "weapons laboratory" is revealed, here is the secret island that is getting ready to test Putin's fearsome atomic arsenal

Russia's remote island of Novaya Zemlya, in the far north of the Arctic, has been the site of hundreds of atomic bomb tests since Soviet times. Now, the frozen crescent-shaped island looks set to once again serve as a "laboratory" for some of the Kremlin's latest nuclear weapons developments, if the time comes. With deteriorating relations with the West and the war in Ukraine threatening to global nuclear war breaks out, the Russian military is ready for Putin's order to resume testing at Novaya Zemlya.

Weapons Island

According to a source closely connected to the Russian Ministry of Defense, readiness to resume nuclear tests, if required, as instructed by Putin, will be met through maintaining "operational readiness" at Novaya Zemlya. This information was reported by the Russian news agency TASS in February. Pavel Podvig, senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) has told Express.co.uk that Novaya Zemlya's preparation for the resumption of nuclear tests it is not at all surprising. He told Express.co.uk: "This is a deliberate policy adopted by Russia when it ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in 2002. It was a deliberate political decision that is supposed to provide a degree of deterrence against other states that resume those nuclear tests. Maintenance of the Novaya Zemlya nuclear test site is provided by the 12th Main Department of the Russian Ministry of Defense. A total of 130 tests were conducted there between 21 September 1955 and 24 October 1990, including 88 air tests, three underwater tests and 39 underground tests.

Threats from the US

During his State of the Nation address to the Federal Assembly, Putin instructed the Ministry of Defense and the State Nuclear Energy Corporation Rosatom to prepare for nuclear tests if deemed necessary. However, Putin stressed that Russia would not be the first to launch such tests. The United States has a similar policy, the Nevada test site is prepared to resume nuclear tests in about six months or so if the decision to resume is made. "In any case, I would consider the statement made in February as more of a good news, the Russian president is actually committed not to resume nuclear tests unless the United States resumes first," Padvig said. To prepare a tactical nuclear strike, it is likely that Putin would have to consult his senior allies on the Russian Security Council before ordering such an attack. The attack order is given through the General Staff and then the nuclear warhead is attached to the device that will launch it and readied for the potential attack order. Because Putin would not be able to predict the US response, Russia's entire nuclear posture would have to change: submarines would go to sea, missile forces would be put on high alert, and strategic bombers would be seen on military bases, ready to go at a moment's notice. The attack order is given through the General Staff and then the nuclear warhead is attached to the device that will launch it and readied for the potential attack order. Because Putin would not be able to predict the US response, Russia's entire nuclear posture would have to change: submarines would go to sea, missile forces would be put on high alert, and strategic bombers would be seen on military bases, ready to go at a moment's notice. The attack order is given through the General Staff and then the nuclear warhead is attached to the device that will launch it and readied for the potential attack order. Because Putin would not be able to predict the US response, Russia's entire nuclear posture would have to change: submarines would go to sea, missile forces would be put on high alert, and strategic bombers would be seen on military bases, ready to go at a moment's notice.

Arsenali rus

Të gjitha shifrat për armët bërthamore janë vlerësime, por, sipas Federatës së Shkencëtarëve Amerikanë, Rusia ka 5,977 koka bërthamore, pajisjet që shkaktojnë një shpërthim bërthamor, megjithëse kjo përfshin rreth 1,500 që janë të pa përdorshme dhe që do të çmontohen. Nga rreth 4500 të mbeturat, shumica konsiderohen armë bërthamore strategjike, raketa balistike ose raketa, të cilat mund të synohen në distanca të gjata. Këto janë armët që zakonisht lidhen me luftën bërthamore. Pjesa tjetër janë armë bërthamore më të vogla dhe më pak shkatërruese për përdorim me rreze të shkurtër veprimi në fushat e betejës ose në det. Por kjo nuk do të thotë se Rusia ka mijëra armë bërthamore me rreze të gjatë gatishmërie. Ekspertët vlerësojnë se rreth 1500 koka luftarake ruse janë aktualisht “të vendosura”, që do të thotë të vendosura në bazat e raketave dhe bombarduesve ose në nëndetëse në det.