Russia is expanding its nuclear arsenal amid the war against Ukraine
For the fourth consecutive year, Russia has been increasing the number of nuclear warheads deployed on delivery systems. According to estimates by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), as of January 2026, Russia had 1,796 such warheads—the highest number since 2017. In total, Russia has approximately 5,420 nuclear warheads of various categories.
Russia continues to increase the number of nuclear warheads in deployed status. This is evidenced by SIPRI data published in its annual report on global nuclear forces. According to the institute’s estimates, as of January 2026, Russia’s nuclear arsenal consisted of 5,420 warheads. Of these, 1,796 were deployed on missiles and other delivery systems, while another 2,604 were in storage.
Separately, SIPRI accounts for approximately 1,020 warheads that have already been decommissioned and are awaiting dismantlement. In other words, not all 5,420 Russian warheads are ready for use. At the same time, the number of deployed warheads has increased significantly over the past year. According to SIPRI, Russia increased this figure by 78 units. By comparison, the number of deployed nuclear warheads in the United States remained at 1,770. France and the United Kingdom also did not increase this figure—they had 280 and 120 deployed warheads, respectively.
How Russia’s Nuclear Arsenal Has Changed
The number of Russian warheads deployed on delivery systems has been rising for the fourth consecutive year. In 2022, according to SIPRI, there were approximately 1,588. In 2023, the figure rose to 1,674; in 2024, to 1,710; and in 2025, to 1,718.
By early 2026, the number had already reached 1,796. Compared to 2020, Russia has increased the number of deployed warheads by approximately 14%. The current figure is also the highest for Russia since 2017. At the same time, SIPRI emphasizes that estimates of nuclear arsenals are approximate. The institute updates its data annually based on new information and revises previous estimates.
What’s Happening with Russian Missiles
A significant portion of Russia’s nuclear capability consists of ground-based missile systems. According to SIPRI estimates, Russian silo-based and mobile missile systems can collectively carry up to 1,092 nuclear warheads. Currently, about 892 are deployed on them. Another important component of the Russian nuclear triad is strategic submarines.
Thirteen such submarines in the Northern and Pacific Fleets can carry a total of up to 208 missiles and 928 warheads. At the same time, two submarines are currently undergoing comprehensive repairs, so the actual number of warheads available to the fleet is estimated at 704. Separately, Russia has a strategic air force. According to SIPRI, approximately 586 nuclear warheads are deployed on strategic bombers. This is less than the maximum number that Russia’s strategic air force could theoretically carry. SIPRI also draws attention to the condition of the aircraft themselves: only a portion of the bombers are in operational condition.
U.S. nuclear capabilities have remained virtually unchanged
Russia and the U.S. remain the undisputed leaders in terms of the size of their nuclear arsenals. As of early 2026, the U.S. had a total of about 5,042 nuclear warheads, while Russia had 5,420. When counting only military stockpiles that could potentially be used, the figures stood at about 3,700 for the U.S. and 4,400 for Russia.
Meanwhile, the number of deployed warheads in the U.S. remained unchanged over the year. In Russia, however, it increased by 78 units. SIPRI notes that both countries are continuing large-scale programs to modernize their nuclear forces. According to the institute’s estimates, Russian and American nuclear arsenals may continue to change due to the modernization of missiles and delivery systems.
China is also expanding its nuclear forces
The expansion of nuclear capabilities is not limited to Russia. China continues to rapidly expand its arsenal. As of January 2026, SIPRI estimated it at approximately 620 nuclear warheads. A year ago, the estimate was around 600. The number of China’s deployed warheads has also risen—from 24 to 34.
An even more notable change has occurred in India. For the first time, SIPRI estimated the number of its deployed warheads at 12. Overall, India’s arsenal is estimated at approximately 190 warheads. According to SIPRI, a total of nine states possess nuclear weapons. In addition to Russia, the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, and India, these include Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel.
Nuclear Tensions Are Rising Worldwide
SIPRI focuses not only on the number of warheads. The institute notes that nuclear-armed states are increasingly relying on nuclear weapons as an instrument of their security and foreign policy. According to SIPRI’s estimates, there were approximately 12,187 nuclear warheads worldwide as of early 2026. About 9,745 of these were part of military stockpiles, meaning they could potentially be used. About 4,012 were deployed on missiles or with operational forces.
SIPRI warns that the situation regarding nuclear arms control is deteriorating. Among the reasons cited are the modernization of arsenals, rising geopolitical tensions, and the weakening of international agreements on nuclear arms control. “The era of reducing the number of nuclear weapons worldwide is coming to an end,” SIPRI expert Hans Kristensen noted earlier while commenting on global trends.
The expiration of the new START treaty between the U.S. and Russia in February 2026 has become a separate issue. SIPRI notes that the absence of a new treaty increases uncertainty regarding the future size of Russian and U.S. strategic nuclear forces. Thus, Russia not only maintains one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals but also continues to increase the number of warheads deployed on delivery vehicles. It was this figure that reached its highest level for Russia in the past nine years in 2026.
