On October 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored Russia’s nuclear capabilities during an annual strategic deterrence exercise, reaffirming established nuclear rhetoric intended to influence Western decision-making.
Participating remotely, Putin oversaw launches of various missiles, including ground-based Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched Sineva and Bulava missiles, and air-launched cruise missiles.
Putin stated that Russia’s nuclear arsenal is crucial for safeguarding national sovereignty, maintaining global power balance, and responding to “increasing geopolitical tensions” and emerging security challenges.
He added that Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces are now equipped with advanced missile systems featuring improved accuracy and faster launch capabilities, though he did not go into specifics.
This drill aligns with similar exercises held in October 2022 and 2023, marking a consistent pattern in Russian military signaling. Experts suggest that Putin’s nuclear rhetoric aims to deter Western support for Ukraine by heightening nuclear tension, potentially imposing self-restraints.
At the same time, recent polling from Russia’s independent Levada Center shows a slight decrease in public trust toward local government entities, with 43 percent of respondents expressing trust in local officials, down from 45 percent the previous year.
However, 80 percent of respondents still express trust in Putin, a slight increase from 76 percent in 2023. Analysts believe that Putin’s strategy of “crypto-mobilization”—boosting military recruitment locally without a full national mobilization—may help shield him from direct public dissatisfaction.
These local initiatives have effectively redirected frustrations over the Ukraine conflict from Putin to lower-level officials.
Putin is expected to continue this localized recruitment approach until a full federal mobilization is deemed necessary to meet military needs in Ukraine, allowing him to retain public support while minimizing broader opposition.
