Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev claimed that Russia's naval nuclear forces have been completely upgraded, and added that nuclear forces have been, and will continue to serve as a security guarantee for the country at the international level.
He further said modernisation remains a key priority for Russia.
He reiterated that the condition and combat readiness of Russia's modernised naval strategic nuclear forces are at an exceptional level.
Moiseyev noted that the presence of such a powerful force in the region should "enhance the sense of responsibility among all countries in the Arctic, primarily those who seek to escalate tensions in the region."
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He observed that the NATO countries have changed their approach to drills in the Arctic—conducting offensive rather than defensive exercises. Driven by several factors, including shipping routes and access to untapped natural resources, there is an intense power struggle happening in the Arctic region among major global powers, primarily the US, Russia, and China.
With an estimated 64 vessels, Russia has one of the largest submarine fleets in the world. According to the US Congressional Research Service, Russia remains the US 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 (US) homeland to limited strikes in support of a regional military campaign."
