Russia's Nuclear Weapons (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Sept. 30, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF12672 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Anya L. Fink |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Russia presents an “acute threat” to the United States and
its allies, according to the 2022 National Defense Strategy.
The 2022 Nuclear Posture Review, a Biden Administration
review of U.S. nuclear policy, states:
Russia remains the U.S. rival with the most capable
and diverse nuclear forces. Today it is unique in the
combination of strategic and non-strategic nuclear
forces it fields that enables nuclear employment
ranging from large-scale attacks on the [U.S.]
homeland to limited strikes in support of a regional
military campaign [in the Euro-Atlantic region].
Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian
President Vladimir Putin has threatened to use nuclear
weapons against the West, stated that Russia has deployed
nonstrategic nuclear weapons to its ally Belarus, and
declared the suspension of certain Russian obligations
under the New START Treaty that limit U.S. and Russian
strategic nuclear forces. Congress may choose to examine
U.S. deterrence and risk reduction policy toward Russia.
