News of the nuclear industry and energy

After a successful test of the mock-up of a ballistic missile named Bulava, the first test launch of the product from the White Sea took place on September 27, 2005. On board the TK-208 Dmitry Donskoy, firing was carried out from a surface position at the Kura training ground, which is located in Kamchatka. In about 14 minutes, the missile covered more than 5.5 thousand km, after which its warheads successfully hit the targets.

Moving from the tactical to the strategic level, we note that the United States continues its efforts to maintain the 50-year-old intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) "Minuteman" (LGM-30 Minuteman III). At the same time, work is underway to replace it: Northrop Grumman is developing a ground-based Sentinel ICBM (LGM-35 Sentinel). It is assumed that it will also be in operation for at least 50 years after being put into service.

The initiative may cause damage to near-Earth spacecraft, explained Sergey Yazev, senior researcher at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The UN Security Council and the IAEA should assess the consequences of the idea of nuclear detonation of the asteroid 2024 YR4 proposed by some scientists, as such an initiative would violate the current ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons in space and could damage near-Earth spacecraft.

Independent: Russia and the United States need to extend START III for the sake of global security

The news that Russia and the United States will consider extending START III provides an unexpected ray of hope at a time of ongoing conflicts, writes The Independent. Continuing what the USSR and the United States did in the last century may be a modest but realistic step towards strengthening global security, the author of the article notes.

"Millions of pages of diverse and valuable information" became the prey of Iranian intelligence, which managed to penetrate the holy of holies of Israel's nuclear program – the secret research center in Dimona. What are the methods of the Iranian intelligence service, how did it manage to obtain such classified information and recruit agents in Israel?

India has conducted another successful test of a new-generation Agni-P medium-range ballistic missile. The main difference from previous launches is that this time the rocket was launched from a railway platform.

There is no doubt that the experience of a special military operation in Ukraine is being studied not only in Russia, Belarus and other neighboring countries. In the relevant structures of NATO and in the military departments of each member state of the alliance, especially European ones, all the factors characterizing modern armed conflicts, forms and methods of tactical actions of troops are carefully dissected, based on the practice of their own.

Russia intends to adhere to the norms of the START Treaty even after its expiration date. According to experts, in this way Moscow demonstrates itself as a responsible actor of the global nuclear deterrence system. Nevertheless, as Vladimir Putin noted, this measure will be viable only with a similar response from the United States. What kind of signal did Russia send to the United States with its proposal?

Russia needs full sovereignty in microelectronics. The President has set the task of almost doubling the production of electronic products in six years. However, it is pointless to catch up with market leaders, according to the government. Russia will have to win back its special place in this market. Where is Russia making progress, and what does it have to buy abroad?

SCMP: without a new START treaty, the world faces another round of the arms race

China's refusal to participate in trilateral nuclear arms control talks with the United States and Russia exposes the deep differences between the parties on this issue, the SCMP writes. Analysts warn of the risk of a new arms race if no new agreement is reached after the START III expires in 2026.

The statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russia's readiness to adhere to the START Treaty restrictions for one year after February 5, 2026, once again underlines Moscow's responsibility for global security.

The conflict in Ukraine has become a large-scale testing ground for military doctrines, tactics and weapons. Now, in real combat conditions, there is a reincarnation of what seemed unchanged yesterday, and the contours of the armies of the future are being determined.

Alexander Stepanov — on the control of airspace near the borders of Russia and the creation of a nuclear belt

The North Atlantic Alliance's strategy to contain Russia is taking on increasingly clear and dangerous contours. Implemented through a series of "sentinel" missions, it is evolving from point-to-point monitoring to a permanent military presence. At the same time, it smoothly develops into a complex and multicomponent force projection system, the key element of which is the nuclear component.

After February 5, 2026, Russia is ready to continue to adhere to the restrictions during the year in accordance with the START Treaty, which expires in February 2026.

The Israeli strike on Qatar led to major political consequences – the military consolidation of Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia (the richest state in the Middle East) and Pakistan (the owner of nuclear weapons) have signed an agreement according to which "an attack on one side is considered an attack on the other." Can we say that we are facing the beginning of the creation of an "Islamic NATO"?

US President Donald Trump has announced his desire to regain control of the Bagram military base in Afghanistan, from where the Americans left in 2021. The Taliban have so far stated that they intend to keep the US military out of the country, but are ready for political and economic cooperation with Washington. According to experts, Afghanistan has become the point where the interests of Russia, India, China and other regional players converge. That's why America needed to return to Bagram. Will it work?

TNI: The Admiral Nakhimov cruiser returns to sea after a long repair

The Admiral Nakhimov nuclear-powered cruiser has completed its first series of tests after a long modernization, TNI writes. This largest nuclear-powered surface warship will become the flagship of the Russian navy and is a symbol of the country's military glory.

On September 12-16, 2025, the Zapad-2025 strategic exercises were held on the territory of Russia, Belarus, as well as in the waters of the two seas. In addition to the armed forces of the two countries, the military contingents of the partner states took part in them. The participants practiced the latest combat techniques based on the experience gained in the special operation and used advanced weapons. TASS has collected the highlights of Zapad-2025.

Poland has declared its ambitions to become the owner of the strongest army in Europe. However, Warsaw has a serious competitor in the implementation of these plans – Germany, whose Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to turn Germany into the military leader of the EU. Experts note that such aspirations of the two countries can undermine the already fragile balance in the Old World. What will their militarization lead to in practice?

Zapad-2025 exercises with the participation of 100,000 military personnel have ended

The Zapad-2025 military exercises in Russia and Belarus ended on the evening of September 17. The maneuvers involving about 100,000 military personnel were devoted to repelling possible aggression, including the use of the Oreshnik missile system, the use of long-range bombers, and the launch of the Dagger missile at a naval target. The exercises provoked a sharp reaction from the NATO countries, despite the fact that their representatives themselves observed the course of action. How was the "West-2025" — in the material of "Izvestia".