Ukrainian war, Russia warns nuclear deterrence forces: what are they

The Strategic Deterrence Forces, which President Vladimir Putin today gave orders to place on maximum alert, are the forces on which Russia’s ability to exert deterrent power for an aggression, but also to defeat an aggressor, is based. They include different types of systems, including nuclear weapons. Read also The deterrence forces are therefore divided into strategic defensive and offensive forces. The Strategic Nuclear Forces (ICBMs, bombers and long-range precision missiles) form the basis of the Strategic Offensive Forces which also include the Strategic Missile Forces. However, the Forces also include non-nuclear or dual systems, including bombers, submarines, ship units, ships armed with cruise missiles. Then also the dual-use hypersonic missiles, Kinzhal (ballistic) and Zirkon (cruise). The combat-ready systems, the tools of the aerospace defense forces, including alert systems for missile attacks, space control systems, missile, anti-space and air defense systems, are the basis of the strategic defensive forces. “The leaders of the main NATO countries are making aggressive statements against our country, so I order the defense minister and the chief of staff to put the deterrence forces on a special alert regime,” Putin said at the meeting. which he held today in the Kremlin with the Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu and with the Chief of Staff, Valery Gerasimov. On February 19, before the start of the war against Ukraine, Putin chaired, from the Kremlin Control Center, an exercise by the Strategic Deterrence Forces in which the Black Sea and Northern Fleets also participated.