Moscow-January 10, 2023

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said during a videoconferenceconference:

"We will continue to develop the nuclear triad and maintain its combat readiness, because the nuclear shield has been and remains the main guarantor of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state," he said, stressing that the Russian Armed Forces will develop the arsenal of offensive weapons in the near future.

Shoigu added that the Russian Defense Ministry will take comprehensive measures for the qualitative renewal of the Armed Forces, which will make it possible to contain the aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies.

He stressed that Russia will work to increase the combat capabilities of the air force, both in terms of the operation of fighters and bombers in the field of operation of modern air defense systems, and in terms of improving unmanned aerial vehicles.

And he continued: in addition, immediate plans include the expansion of Arsenals of modern assault weapons.

At the end of last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that his country would maintain its combat readiness and improve the "nuclear triad" as the main guarantee of Russia's sovereignty.

Putin added: We will continue to support the combat capabilities and combat readiness of nuclear forces, this is a guarantee of our sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in general nuclear deterrence supports the nuclear balance in the world.

Putin's announcement of the goals of the Army as the military operation in Ukraine is about to enter its first year, warned of the transition of the conflict to a more escalated Square in 2023.

Russia ranks first in the world in its possession of nuclear warheads, with about 5977 thousand nuclear warheads, which is half of what all the world's armies have combined