Key facts
- Russia's naval strategic nuclear forces are at full combat readiness, according to Kremlin aide Nikolai Patrushev.
- Patrushev stated Russia's Navy is capable of ensuring national security in all maritime and oceanic theaters.
- The Navy's development strategy through 2050 considers threats from potential adversaries.
- Russia conducted large-scale nuclear forces exercises in May involving naval, land, and aerial units.
- Ukraine has targeted Russian commercial vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov with drones.
Nikolai Patrushev, a Kremlin aide and head of Russia's Maritime Collegium, stated on July 15 that Russia's naval strategic nuclear forces are prepared for combat in any maritime sector. He asserted that the Russian Navy is capable of ensuring the country's security across all maritime and oceanic theaters under any scenario, maintaining a state of full combat readiness.
Patrushev claimed that Russia was prepared to defend its national interests both near its borders and in "various regions of the global ocean." He added that the Navy is taking into account "all threats posed by potential adversaries" in planning its development strategy through the year 2050, including its long-term shipbuilding strategy.
The remarks follow large-scale exercises involving Russia's nuclear forces from May 19-21, which included naval, land-based, and aerial components. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 73 surface ships and 13 submarines participated, with eight submarines reportedly armed with strategic missiles.
Despite Russia's nuclear posturing, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that China had delivered an "unequivocal" message to Moscow that the use of nuclear weapons is not an option. Zelensky mentioned that European leaders informed him of China's strong reaction to statements in Russian media about the potential use of nuclear weapons.
Russia's navy is assessed as the third most powerful globally, behind the United States and China. However, the ongoing war has revealed vulnerabilities in its Black Sea operations, with Ukraine successfully targeting Russian commercial vessels in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.