Russian officials are escalating nuclear threats toward the United States while President Vladimir Putin touts new nuclear systems. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that a senior Russian lawmaker suggested Moscow could deploy nuclear-capable missiles to Venezuela and Cuba, invoking Cold War fears just as Putin unveils new underwater and airborne nuclear weapons.

Russia threatens to send nukes to Latin America

On 29 October, Russian State Duma Defense Committee Deputy Chairperson Alexei Zhuravlyov said Moscow could deliver nuclear-capable missiles to “Venezuela or Cuba,” emphasizing their proximity to what he called Russia’s “main geopolitical adversary” — the United States. Zhuravlyov declared that the US is “not a friend or partner” but an “enemy.”

Putin boasts of new nuclear weapons 

Putin announced on 29 October that Russia tested its Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle a day earlier. 

"Putin is detailing the alleged attributes of the weapons to add weight and urgency to his nuclear threats to enact concessions from the United States on Ukraine," ISW wrote.

The timing of Putin’s remarks directly followed US President Donald Trump’s 27 October call for the Kremlin to focus on ending the war in Ukraine instead of testing missiles. Putin’s announcements appear aimed at demonstrating defiance and projecting strength. According to ISW, the Russian leader is using nuclear rhetoric to force concessions from Trump and European governments "that his army cannot achieve on the battlefield."

Belarus to deploy Oreshnik missile system

Russia is also using Belarus to threaten Europe. Belarusian Presidential Press Secretary Natalya Eismont told Kremlin newswire TASS on 28 October that the Oreshnik missile system will go on combat duty in December 2025. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the move was a response to what he called “Russophobic statements” and “militaristic hysteria” from Europe.

Peskov pointed to officials in the Baltics, Poland, France, and the United Kingdom as justification for the deployment, calling the system “dear” to both Belarus and Russia. Putin had previously announced that Russian and Belarusian specialists would decide on new deployment sites for Oreshnik by the end of 2025.

"Russia is leveraging the Oreshnik system as part of a reflexive control campaign aimed at undermining Western resolve to militarily support Ukraine," ISW wrote.

On 27 October, US President Donald Trump dismissed Russia’s recent test of a new nuclear-powered cruise missile, stating that Russian President Putin should be focused on ending the war in Ukraine. Trump made the remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One during a trip to Asia, according to news reports.

The President's direct public criticism links Russia's strategic weapons development to the all-out war, expressing his impatience with Putin's actions as the 3.5-year war remains deadlocked.

What Trump said

Speaking to reporters, Trump downplayed the test by highlighting US capabilities, CNN reported.

"They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their [Russian] shore," Trump said. "So I mean, it doesn’t have to go 8,000 miles, and they’re not playing games with us, we’re not playing games with them either,"

He also added, "We test missiles all the time."

Trump then pivoted directly to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

"And I don’t think it’s an appropriate thing for Putin to be saying either, by the way." "He ought to get the war ended, a war that should have taken one week is now in its fourth year, that’s what he ought to do instead of testing missiles," the President stated.

Context of the Burevestnik test

Trump's remarks followed a Kremlin announcement on 26 October that Russia had successfully completed "decisive tests" of its 9M730 Burevestnik missile. According to a report from RFE/RL, President Putin was briefed by General Valery Gerasimov that the missile flew 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) for 15 hours.

Key facts on the missile:

• NATO Name: SSC-X-9 Skyfall
• Propulsion: A miniature nuclear reactor, which in theory gives it a nearly "unlimited range."
• Capability: It is a low-flying, nuclear-armed cruise missile designed to use an unpredictable flight path to evade all existing air defense systems.

Strategic implications

First unveiled by Putin in 2018, the Burevestnik is one of several ostensibly "invincible" next-generation weapons. The program has been plagued by past failures, leading some experts to dub it a "flying Chernobyl," as noted by Novaya Gazeta Europe, due to the high risk of a nuclear-powered engine failing and dispersing radiation.

The test is widely seen as a signal from Moscow of its nuclear resolve as the war in Ukraine continues. By dismissing the test, Trump publicly suggested Putin's focus on strategic weapons was an inappropriate distraction from the ongoing conventional war in Ukraine—a war that he stated "ought to get... ended."

Related:

• Russian envoy in US says Trump is briefed on 14,000 km-range Burevestnik nuclear missile tests
• Trade or nuclear war: Kremlin envoy Dmitriev’s visit to US shows Russia remains committed to Ukraine’s capitulation
• Russia directs nuclear weapons toward US and UK in Arctic