Home / War and Conflict / Russia Prepares to Shatter 35-Year Nuclear Test Moratorium
Russia Prepares to Shatter 35-Year Nuclear Test Moratorium
27 Aug
Summary
- Russia's Arctic test site in Novaya Zemlya ready for new nuclear tests
- Pressure mounting from pro-war Russian politicians to conduct fresh tests
- Experts warn a new generation of nuclear experts could push for tests
As of August 27th, 2025, Russia appears to be preparing to shatter a 35-year moratorium on nuclear weapons testing. According to military specialist Dmitry Stefanovich, the former Soviet Arctic test site in the Novaya Zemlya archipelago is now fully ready to resume testing, should Russian President Vladimir Putin give the order.
The last confirmed nuclear tests were conducted by North Korea in September 2017. Now, leading pro-war Russian politicians have reportedly inspected the Novaya Zemlya test site, and the director of the facility, Rear-Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn, has stated that the site is "fully ready" to begin testing at any moment if the order is given.
Experts warn that pressure for new tests will likely come from a new generation of nuclear weapons experts set to secure positions in Russia's nuclear complex. Stefanovich argues there is no technical need for fresh tests, as Russia has the technology to verify warheads without live testing. However, he fears that within the next 10-15 years, the technical arguments in favor of testing will dominate.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Novaya Zemlya archipelago has a notorious history as a Soviet nuclear test site during the Cold War, including the detonation of the "Tsar Bomb" in 1961 - the most powerful nuclear device ever tested. With the world now waiting to see if Putin gives the green light, the prospect of Russia shattering the nuclear test moratorium looms large.
