Russia currently has the largest and the most diverse nuclear arsenal in the world, the commander of US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Gen. Anthony Cotton said in remarks to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Report informs referring to Sputnik International.
“Russia is currently in possession of the largest and most diverse nuclear arsenal of any nation,” Cotton said in his prepared testimony for a hearing before the committee.
Beyond its traditional strategic triad, Russia is both increasing and modernizing its nuclear options, Cotton said.
“These include nuclear-capable hypersonic systems such as the Tsirkon land attack cruise missile and the Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, the last of which Russia has employed frequently against Ukraine in a conventional role,” he said. “These hypersonic systems add diversity and flexibility to Russia’s nuclear arsenal and complement its stockpile of approximately 2,000 theater nuclear weapons that do not fall under New START limits.”