US EditionRussia expanding nukes' arsenal, deploying air-to-air nuclear missiles: US intelligence
- The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency reported in May 2025 that Russia has redeployed nuclear-tipped air-to-air missiles reminiscent of Cold War-era weapons.
- This development follows Russia's broader strategy to expand its nuclear forces amid ongoing conflict with Ukraine and escalating tensions with NATO.
- The main missile involved is likely a nuclear variant of the R-37M, a hypersonic, very long-range missile carried by MiG-31 interceptors, capable of speeds up to Mach 6 and ranges near 250 miles.
- Experts warn that integrating nuclear warheads onto the R-37M could enable Russian fighters to neutralize enemy aircraft squadrons, cruise missile salvoes, or drone swarms, raising concerns over European security and arms race escalation.
- Russia is strengthening its nuclear presence in Belarus by deploying missile and nuclear-capable aircraft systems, refurbishing nuclear weapons storage facilities, and training Belarusian personnel in managing tactical nuclear arms, indicating a continued emphasis on nuclear deterrence that may heighten tensions in the region.
27 Articles
27 Articles
War in Ukraine: Russia Deploys a New Version of R-37M, "the World's Fastest Missile", with Nuclear Capability
According to a report by the Pentagon Defense Intelligence Agency, Moscow is working on an evolution of its R-37M air-to-air missile to provide it with nuclear capability.
Return of Nuclear-Tipped Air-to-Air Missiles
Russia is returning to service nuclear-tipped air-to-air missiles, according to the Pentagon's DIA intelligence agency. It is believed to be a modification of the long-range R-37M missile, which can be carried by MiG-31, Su-30, Su-35 and Su-57 fighters. Moscow's purpose is unknown, but experts estimate that in modern air warfare conditions it could be used to attack larger formations of aircraft or missiles.
Pentagon: Russia Has Nuke-tipped Air-to-air Missiles
The Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency has warned that Russia has expanded its nuclear arsenal by adding nuclear-tipped air-to-air missiles, a callback to such weapons harnessed during the Cold War by the U.S. and Soviet Union. The DIA did not offer further details in its 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment, which was unveiled in a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations hearing on May 15 with the agency’s direc…
Opportunities that have no equal: Russia is putting into operation new aircraft — War Zone: EADaily
EADaily, May 22nd, 2025. Russia is commissioning new air—to-air missiles with nuclear warheads as part of the expansion of its nuclear forces. This is reported by The War Zone with reference to the report of the Intelligence Directorate of the US Department of Defense (DIA, DIA).
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