Strengthening Russia's military potential

Forecast: "What's happening in Russia and around the world. A comprehensive look at the current state and a forecast for the near future" (published on April 20, 2026, link).

S. Dragan:

By May 22, 2026, there may be an attempt to strengthen Russia's military potential, and important decisions will be made in this regard. This will have a direct impact on the international arena.

In mid-May 2026, Russia demonstrated to the world its successes in testing new, deadly and destructive weapons.

The intercontinental ballistic missile "Sarmat" successfully completed tests in front of the President of Russia. The Supreme Commander was informed that by the end of the year, a regiment of "Sarmat" missiles will be on guard to protect our sovereignty.

According to experts, the missile can hit any continent in the world through either pole. It is unstoppable, and no existing "umbrellas" or anti-air defenses can intercept the "Sarmat" in flight. The power of its warhead is four times greater than all existing world analogs.

For this reason, NATO respectfully (or with fear) calls it "Satan-2".

The last decade of May 2026 was marked for Russia by important foreign policy diplomatic events and large-scale exercises that demonstrated the military might of allies: Russia and Belarus.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that from May 19 to 21, 2026, the Russian armed forces, together with the armed forces of Belarus, conducted exercises to prepare and employ nuclear forces in the face of aggression threats, involving strategic missile forces and long-range aviation.

As the agency noted, the exercises are aimed at testing the level of preparedness of command and operational staff, improving their skills, and practicing command and coordination in the execution of tasks.

The Russian leader emphasized that Russia's nuclear triad should remain the key guarantor of security and sovereignty of the Union State of Russia and Belarus in the face of growing international tension and the emergence of new threats.

"I have already noted and will emphasize once again: the use of such weapons, nuclear weapons, is an extreme and exceptional measure to ensure the national security of our states," said Putin.

Vladimir Putin and Belarus's leader Alexander Lukashenko watched a joint nuclear forces training of the two countries via video link.

In the wake of the drills, important decisions were made regarding Russia's military potential.

Putin stated during the training: "We have no intention of getting involved in an arms race. Our nuclear triad will remain at the level of necessary sufficiency. We are doing everything to ensure what was planned decades ago.".

Drills of this scale have had a "direct impact on the international arena."

Above all, this influence concerns deterring our potential opponents from their aggressive designs. "The Russian army has begun three-day nuclear exercises <...> which undoubtedly raises concerns in the West," the British newspaper Daily Express states in its article.

The exercises of such magnitude also went unnoticed by Russia's partners, demonstrating readiness to protect not only Russian interests but also its friends, primarily the Republic of Belarus.

It is extremely important and symbolic that the exercises essentially coincided in time with the terms of the Russian leader's visit to China.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Beijing, the outcome of which was the signing of over 40 documents on mutually beneficial cooperation in key areas for both states. Experts are confident: the agreements reached will have strategic significance for Russia and China.

At the end of the talks, the sides adopted and signed 42 documents, including a joint statement on further strengthening comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, deepening relations of good-neighborliness, friendship, and cooperation, and a joint declaration on the emergence of a multipolar world and new types of international relations.

Building a new world order based on multipolarity is only possible with the strengthening of the military potential of countries - new power centers.

The official part of the negotiations concluded with a final statement by the heads of state, during which Putin stated that Russia and China have managed to establish a stable system of mutual trade, protected from negative trends on global markets.

“Our relations are self-sufficient, independent of the current global situation, and serve as an example of how countries and peoples should build relations in the present time,” - emphasized the Russian leader.

Xi Jinping, in turn, also drew attention to the political aspect of the talks. The Chinese leader noted the role of the two countries in defending international justice and combating the emergence of “world hegemonies.”

The leader of China, at the final press conference after the talks, stated that there is a threat on the international stage to return to the "jungle of peace." According to Xi, Russia and China, as responsible world powers, intend to protect the authority of the UN and "international justice," as well as oppose any attempts to "turn history back."

Both delegations in the talks expressed their strongest concerns regarding the growing risks of a nuclear war.

Criticism about the non-compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was expressed twice.

A very strong reaction was to the "Golden Dome" project (an American proposal for a multi-layered anti-missile defense system). In China and Russia, they believe its development will lead to an escalation of the arms race.

The course taken by the PRC, Russia, and their partners on the international stage to construct and dominate a multipolar world is met with serious resistance from the West, necessitating the strengthening of the military potential of the coalition of countries opposing Washington and Brussels.

(more on the topic to follow)