The Russian parliamentary bosses are set to discuss today the possibility of revoking the ratification of a treaty that bans nuclear tests. This development has raised concerns of a potential arms race between major world powers. Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia could resume nuclear testing, marking the first time in over three decades since they stopped after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Putin stated that Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which outlines the conditions for pressing the nuclear button, did not need to change, but did not confirm whether Moscow would indeed resume nuclear tests.
The President mentioned that Russia could consider revoking its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which has been signed but not ratified by the United States. In response to Putin’s statement, Vyacheslav Volodin, Russia’s top lawmaker, expressed his intention to discuss the matter at the next meeting of Russia’s Duma Council, the key legislative body responsible for organising parliamentary work.
Russia’s envoy to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) declared on Friday that Moscow would revoke its ratification of the pact. This move has been strongly criticised by Washington, which stated that it endangers the global norm against nuclear test blasts.
In a separate development, Russian forces reportedly shelled the southern Kherson region and other parts of Ukraine on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals and injuring a dozen more, according to Ukrainian officials. The general in charge of Ukraine’s ground forces reported that troops were making progress on the eastern front as part of Kyiv’s counteroffensive to expel Russian invaders. The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces stated that attacks on five sectors of the 600-mile front had been repelled successfully.
Furthermore, Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns about an anticipated surge in Russian drone attacks during the upcoming winter season. The spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, Yuriy Ihnat, revealed that data from September indicated that Russia’s use of Iranian-designed Shahed kamikaze drones would surpass last year’s figures. Ihnat stated in a televised interview that this autumn and winter had already set records in terms of the number of Shahed drones used, with over 500 deployed in September alone. He compared this to last winter’s airstrike campaign, during which approximately 1,000 Shahed drones were used in six months. The attacks on energy facilities last winter severely damaged Ukraine’s power system, leading to electricity and hot water rationing in most cities. Despite Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen its air defences, officials have warned of the possibility of a repeat this winter, given that the power grid is still in the process of being rebuilt after the previous bombardment campaign.
