In a move shattering three decades of restraint, President Trump ordered the Pentagon on October 30, 2025, to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing. “Because of other countries’ testing programs,” Trump said, “I’ve instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.”
The surprise directive came just before a scheduled meeting with China’s Xi Jinping in South Korea, signaling a direct response to Russian and Chinese nuclear escalation.
Russia’s 9M729 Missile Enters the War in Ukraine
For the first time, Russia has deployed its controversial 9M729 cruise missile in combat, turning a long-standing arms-control dispute into active warfare. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed at least 23 launches since August 2025, plus two earlier in 2022.
One October 5 strike traveled over 1,200 kilometers, hitting Lapaiivka and killing five civilians. This same missile type led Trump to exit the INF Treaty in 2019—now it’s being used on the battlefield.
A Weapon That Shattered Arms-Control Promises
Developed by Russia’s Novator Design Bureau, the 9M729 violates the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty’s ban on missiles between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. Western experts say it can reach 2,500 kilometers and deliver either conventional or nuclear warheads.
Once symbols of superpower cooperation, 2,692 missiles were dismantled under the 1987 treaty. Russia’s combat use of the 9M729 marks the collapse of that legacy—and the dawn of a new nuclear normal in Ukraine.
Europe Within Range of a Proven Threat
When Russia’s 9M729 flew 1,200 kilometers on October 5, it proved something chilling: European capitals like Berlin, Paris, and London are now within range. Moscow downplays the missile’s distance, but Ukraine’s battlefield data confirms otherwise.
With 23 documented launches since August, the weapon is no longer experimental—it is now part of Russia’s arsenal. And because the missile can carry either a nuclear or conventional payload, every strike now carries strategic uncertainty.
Moscow’s Week of Nuclear Muscle-Flexing
Russia followed up the missile’s debut with a show of nuclear force. On October 21, it tested the nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, which reportedly flew 14,000 kilometers. A day later, Putin personally oversaw nuclear triad drills, launching Yars and Sineva missiles.
Then, on October 28, he announced Poseidon—an underwater nuclear “super torpedo.” Three nuclear demonstrations in one week sent a clear message: Russia is ready to play brinkmanship.
The Burevestnik’s “Unlimited Flight” Ambition
Russia’s Burevestnik cruise missile revives a Cold War dream—a weapon powered by a nuclear reactor, capable of flying indefinitely. The October 21 test showcased low-altitude maneuvers designed to evade missile defenses. Western experts questioned the safety and practicality, recalling a 2019 explosion that killed five Russian scientists.
Still, Putin hailed the latest test as proof of readiness, brushing aside concerns about radiation and instability in the interest of deterrence.
Poseidon: Russia’s Radioactive Doomsday Torpedo
The Poseidon system pushes nuclear warfare into uncharted territory. It’s a massive, nuclear-powered torpedo meant to unleash radioactive tsunamis that could make coastal cities uninhabitable. Putin called it more powerful than Russia’s Sarmat ICBM, though U.S. analysts doubt the propulsion system was truly nuclear.
Regardless, the weapon’s concept—destruction on a continental scale—shows Russia’s shift toward strategic terror over tactical precision.
China’s Rapid Nuclear Expansion Raises Alarm
China, too, is accelerating its nuclear buildup. In just five years, Beijing doubled its arsenal to around 600 warheads, adding roughly 100 per year. The Pentagon projects China could reach 1,000 by 2030—rivaling Russia’s current count.
While China maintains a “no first use” policy, its push for new ICBMs, submarine-launched missiles, and hypersonic vehicles hints at ambitions beyond deterrence. Trump cited China’s surge as part of his rationale for U.S. testing.
The Three-Nation Nuclear Spiral
Within just 10 days, the world’s three major powers reignited a nuclear race. Russia tested the Burevestnik on October 21, held readiness drills on October 22, and showcased the Poseidon on October 28.
Then Trump’s October 30 order capped the cycle, presenting U.S. tests as a response rather than provocation. Analysts warn that such tit-for-tat signaling echoes the Cold War’s most volatile moments, when posturing easily blurred into escalation.
Counting Warheads: America vs. Russia
Despite Trump’s claims, the numbers tell another story. Russia holds roughly 5,580 nuclear warheads—slightly more than America’s 5,225, according to the Arms Control Association. Both nations deploy approximately 1,550 strategic warheads under the New START Treaty, although Russia ceased reporting data after suspending its participation in early 2023.
The United States still maintains the world’s second-largest arsenal, but Moscow’s edge undercuts Trump’s assertion of U.S. dominance.
How Soon Could Testing Really Begin?
Despite Trump’s “immediate” order, experts say restarting nuclear testing will take years. The Nevada National Security Site needs at least 24 to 36 months to prepare, with a minimal “demonstration” test possible in six to ten months.
Aging infrastructure, environmental regulations, and staff shortages all slow progress. Many former technicians were furloughed during government shutdowns, leaving the test site far from ready for explosive trials.
The End of a 33-Year Peace Pause
The last U.S. nuclear explosion—codenamed Divider—took place on September 23, 1992. After that, Congress froze testing, and President Clinton extended the moratorium indefinitely, signing the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1996.
For 33 years, America relied on simulations and inspections to ensure the reliability of its arsenal. Trump’s directive abruptly ends a period that spanned four presidencies and symbolized the world’s longest era without nuclear detonations.
Non-Proliferation on the Brink
Global watchdogs warn that if the U.S. resumes testing, the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s fragile framework could unravel. Russia has already hinted it would follow suit. China hasn’t tested since 1996, but never ratified the test ban.
India and Pakistan last tested in 1998, while North Korea has conducted six tests since 2006. A return to open testing by any major power could dismantle half a century of nuclear restraint almost overnight.
Escalation Without Dialogue
Trump’s announcement comes as global diplomacy falters. Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on, China’s arsenal grows unchecked, and the New START Treaty expires in 2026. Since 2023, no U.S.–Russia arms-control talks have taken place, leaving no communication channels to prevent miscalculations.
Experts warn that renewed testing serves more as political theater than technological necessity—but it risks fueling a mindset that normalizes nuclear readiness over restraint.
A New Nuclear Era Dawns
Trump’s order marks more than a policy shift—it’s a symbolic break from three decades of post-Cold War consensus. Russia’s combat deployment of banned missiles, China’s rapid buildup, and the U.S. decision to resume testing collectively reset the global nuclear stage.
With treaties collapsing and diplomacy in retreat, the world faces a familiar yet more complex danger: a renewed arms race without the guardrails that once kept it in check.