Overview
- Putin instructed defense, foreign and intelligence bodies to gather information and submit coordinated proposals on preparing for possible tests, with the Kremlin emphasizing this is an assessment rather than an immediate order to detonate.
- Defense Minister Andrei Beloussow said the Novaya Zemlya range could support “comprehensive” trials on short notice and urged beginning preparations promptly.
- Trump reaffirmed that he told the U.S. military to resume testing “immediately,” while a cabinet official indicated near‑term activities could be non‑nuclear system tests.
- Russia launched the Khabarovsk submarine designed to carry Poseidon torpedoes and touted an October 28 activation of Poseidon’s nuclear propulsion.
- Independent verification of the Poseidon claim is absent, and experts warn renewed testing could spur an arms race, noting U.S. test infrastructure shortfalls versus reported Russian and Chinese upgrades.