Alarming satellite images appear to show Russia’s R-30 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a key element of the Russian nuclear arsenal, being deployed on nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.
The pictures, shared on the Ukrainian website Defence Express, are likely intended to send a signal to the West over the ongoing supply of missiles of Ukraine, especially in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s election victory last week.
Notably, Russian sources were among the first to bring attention to this image, claiming it shows work by the 12th Chief Directorate of the Ministry of Defence – the division charged with managing Russia’s nuclear weapons.
It marks a rare example of images showing Russia‘s preparation of nuclear-capable missiles entering the public domain, raising the temperature significantly given the current geopolitical climate.
Although the exact time and location of the image are unknown, a grey transport-launch container holding the R-30 Bulava missile can be seen in the lower left corner, surrounded by a range of support vehicles.
Little attempt has been made to disguise such preparations, which suggests a deliberate openness by Russia in conducting activities for the sea-based ICBM intended for a Project 955 Borei-class submarine.
Defence Express’s Svetlana Shcherbak said: “This points to a certain mutual transparency: Western countries can continuously monitor Russia’s nuclear arsenal operations via satellite, while Russia occasionally conducts these operations in the open, perhaps as a psychological message.
“While this discussion focuses on strategic nuclear weapons, it’s plausible to assume that similar activities at Russian strategic aviation airfields are also under close observation by Western satellites.”
Separately, Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is pushing Western allies to step up support to put Ukraine in the “strongest position” possible before Donald Trump takes office.
The return of Mr Trump to the White House means there is uncertainty over the level of US support for Kyiv from January when the president-elect takes office.
The Prime Minister said he had been having discussions with other leaders about how to shore up support for Volodymyr Zelensky‘s forces.
Sir Keir held talks with France’s Emmanuel Macron on Monday and is reported to be pushing for outgoing US President Joe Biden to release £15.6 billion in funds for Ukraine before he leaves office.
The Prime Minister hopes to talk face-to-face with the president at the G20 summit next week, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The Biden White House could also be pushed to give permission for Ukraine to use UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike targets within Russia.
Concerns about Mr Trump’s stance on Ukraine have been heightened by a New York Times report that Marco Rubio is being lined up as secretary of state.
Mr Rubio was one of the senators who voted against a US funding package for Kyiv earlier this year.