Russia is keeping a vigilant eye on Washington’s activities in the nuclear domain, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday, underscoring heightened scrutiny amid renewed talk of weapons testing, as she spoke to reporters on a myriad of topics. 

"Relevant Russian agencies are certainly watching actions by the United States and other countries in the nuclear sphere as closely as necessary," Zakharova told reporters.

"This concerns the testing of strategic offensive weapons in the American arsenal, too," she added, responding to US media reports about preparations for a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test.

Zakharova noted, however, that “the situation around the US intentions to carry out nuclear tests should be clarified.” She said Moscow had observed “controversial signals coming from Washington that raise legitimate concern across the globe.”

The remarks came after US President Donald Trump reportedly instructed the Pentagon last week to “immediately resume nuclear weapons testing,” though he did not clarify the scope of the order or whether it involved live warhead detonations.

Whether rooted in a deep misunderstanding or intended as a political scare tactic, Trump reflected a fundamental misreading of nuclear strategy, based on statements from officials and experts. Yet, the US president doubled down on US nuclear explosive testing.

Putin orders review of possible nuclear test preparations

The Kremlin has also moved to reassess its own nuclear posture. During a November 5 meeting with Russia’s Security Council, President Vladimir Putin instructed the foreign and defense ministries, intelligence services, and civilian agencies to “collect and analyze additional information and submit coordinated proposals on a potential start of preparations for nuclear weapons tests.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later clarified that Putin had not ordered the start of preparations but rather “instructed to work out the issue of the expediency of starting preparations for such tests.”

Zakharova confirmed that the Foreign Ministry had begun implementing the president’s directives. “The Foreign Ministry has received the relevant orders, and the ministry has begun implementing the task set by the country's leadership,” she said.

Russia's strategic novel systems

Russia has tested or showcased new nuclear delivery platforms: It recently launched the Khabarovsk nuclear submarine, a purpose-built “carrier” for nuclear-armed unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

Each Khabarovsk sub is reported to carry up to six Poseidon drones. These drones have nuclear reactors, now tested for the first time, and large warheads. Russian President Vladimir Putin says Poseidon is “unmatched” and impossible to intercept. Western analysts note Poseidon could theoretically devastate coastal targets by triggering a radioactive tsunami.

Russia also announced completion of trials for the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, which flew about 14,000 km in 15 hours and is said to have effectively unlimited range. A nuclear-powered cruise missile could loiter for hours on unpredictable paths, erasing the geographic buffers of conventional systems and seriously complicating Western defenses. These developments, including inertial torpedo tests and war games, are all outside existing arms-control treaties, raising new strategic and escalation concerns.

We previously discussed in detail the specifications of the Burevestnik and what makes it special.

Moscow tracks Western arms supplies to Ukraine

Turning to the war in Ukraine, Zakharova said Russia’s Defense Ministry continues to monitor weapons shipments from Western nations to Kiev.

“Of course, our defense ministry monitors the supplies that are being delivered to the Kiev regime through various Western coalitions, and we also comment on this based on Defense Ministry data,” she said, referring to Bloomberg reports on Britain’s latest missile deliveries to Ukraine.

Zakharova also addressed reports about Serbia’s potential sale of ammunition to the European Union, expressing confidence that Belgrade would not divert any supplies to Ukraine.

“We proceed from the understanding that Belgrade will strictly adhere to the promises it has made,” she said, commenting on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s recent statements.

Moscow, Damascus deepen coordination, including in energy

Zakharova said Moscow and Damascus maintain “official contacts at all levels,” with dialogue becoming “more intensive” in recent months. She added that cooperation extends across several sectors, including oil and gas.

“The dialogue continues at many levels across relevant agencies,” the spokesperson said, noting that energy remains a key topic on the bilateral agenda.

Finally, Zakharova said Russia remains in “close and constant contact” with the Venezuelan government amid rising tensions in the Caribbean Sea.

“We reaffirm our support for the Venezuelan leadership in protecting national sovereignty,” she said. “Russia has demonstrated its unwavering solidarity with Venezuela. We are ready to respond appropriately to the appeals of Caracas.”