Russia Clarifies Recent Tests Were Not Nuclear Warhead Detonations as Trump Orders US Response

Russia and the United States possess 90 percent of global nuclear weapons stockpiles.

Moscow moved to defuse escalating nuclear tensions with Washington on Thursday, clarifying that its recent tests of advanced nuclear-capable weapons systems were not actual atomic weapon tests, following US President Donald Trump's announcement ordering American nuclear tests in response.

Kremlin officials emphasized that testing of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon underwater drone should not be interpreted as nuclear warhead detonations. Both nations currently adhere to an unofficial moratorium on nuclear warhead testing, though Russia regularly conducts military exercises involving nuclear-capable delivery systems.

"Regarding the Poseidon and Burevestnik tests, we hope the information was accurately conveyed to President Trump," stated Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov during a briefing with journalists including AFP representatives. "This cannot be interpreted as a nuclear test in any way."

President Trump declared on Thursday his directive for US nuclear testing in response to other countries' testing programs. "Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump wrote on social media.

Ambiguity remains about whether Trump was referring to actual nuclear warhead tests—last conducted by the US in 1992—or merely testing delivery systems capable of carrying nuclear payloads.

The Kremlin indicated it would resume nuclear warhead testing if the United States conducted live atomic weapon tests. "If someone departs from the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly," Peskov warned.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia would follow suit if the United States resumed nuclear weapons testing.

Both nations signed but never ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 1996, which prohibits all atomic test explosions for both military and civilian purposes.

When announcing the recent tests, Putin boasted that Russia's new nuclear-powered weapons could reach any continent worldwide and were impervious to defense systems.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia and the United States collectively control approximately 90 percent of the world's nuclear arsenal, amounting to around 11,000 warheads.