On February 21, Putin said Russia was taking a "break" from the agreement that limits Russia and the United States' strategic nuclear weapons -- those that can reach targets far away on other continents.

A week later, he signed a law to cement his statement, according to the state-controlled Tass news agency.

The Kremlin also sent a diplomatic note to the White House, and on February 28, Russia stopped providing intelligence on changes to its strategic arsenals, according to Hans Kristensen, director of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

- The US has not received any intelligence or information exchanges since Russia sent that message, he says.

Russian intercontinental ballistic missile Yars is on display at the annual parade on Red Square in Moscow.

Photo: EPA May 9, 2022

Fully operational nuclear weapons

Normally, the US receives 10 to 15 intelligence reports over three days, which provide an important situational picture.

It could be about transfers, new weapons or preparedness.

Similarly, the US sends intelligence to Russia. 

They are the lifeblood for the world's two largest nuclear powers to be able to trust each other and avoid misunderstandings.

There are reports that Russia's nuclear weapons are in poor condition and that the warheads have not been adequately maintained for the past 30 years.

But both Hans Kristensen and William Alberque, head of the arms control department at the British IISS, make the assessment that Russia's strategic nuclear weapons are well maintained and fully operational.

This also applies to the newer tactical nuclear weapons, or battlefield nuclear weapons as they are also called.

- These are the warheads intended for the strategic weapons, such as SS-18, SLBM and Kh-102, as well as the battlefield weapons SS-26 Iskander, 9M729, Kh-102 and similar systems, probably very well maintained, says William Alberque.

He continues:

- These are nuclear warheads intended to strike the United States and also targets on the battlefield - such as major European and Asian airports, ports, military communications centers, NATO headquarters, link points for C31 satellites and NATO pipelines.

Conventional Iskander robots have been used in the Ukaina war.

They can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead.

Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense via AP 19 Feb 2022