Overview
- Russian Defense Minister Andrey Beloussow urged immediate preparations at the Novaya Zemlya range, saying forces there could conduct large-scale tests on short notice.
- Vladimir Putin told ministries and security services to collect additional information and propose steps for possible test preparations, with the Kremlin stressing this is not a direct test start.
- President Donald Trump announced the United States will restart nuclear weapons testing and accused Russia and China of secret tests, then reiterated the directive on November 6.
- U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright later said planned activities involve trials of nuclear-capable systems without nuclear explosions.
- A recent unarmed Minuteman III launch and SIPRI figures showing the U.S. and Russia hold nearly 90% of global warheads frame the renewed nuclear-era signaling.