Russia needs an nuclear shield update to due to 'colossal threats'.

21/8/2025 15:58

Russia's nuclear shield should be strengthened in coming years due to the "colossal threats" facing the world's biggest nuclear power, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation said on Thursday.



Russia and the United States are upgrading their nuclear arsenals - including the systems used to detect and intercept incoming nuclear-armed missiles - just as China ramps up its own nuclear capability far beyond those of Britain and France.



"Now, in the current geopolitical situation, is a time of colossal threats to the existence of our country. Therefore, the nuclear shield, which is also a sword, is a guarantee of our sovereignty," Russian state news agency RIA cited Alexei Likhachev as saying.



"We understand today that the nuclear shield must only be improved in the coming years."



U.S. President Donald Trump in May unveiled plans for a so-called "Golden Dome" missile defence shield, inspired by Israel's land-based Iron Dome defense shield, that would cost at least $175 billion.