Alexander Taranov
Alexander Taranov is an expert on Russian military and nuclear affairs.
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Articles by Alexander Taranov
New Security Arrangements Between Moscow and Minsk Cement Russia’s Influence (Part 2)
Executive Summary: The Treaty on Security Guarantees within the framework of the Russia-Belarus Union State allows for a nuclear weapons response to the use of nuclear or weapons of mass
New Security Arrangements Between Moscow and Minsk Cement Russia’s Influence (Part 1)
Executive Summary: Russia and Belarus signed two security-related documents in December 2024 that deepen Belarus’s integration within Russia’s geopolitical influence and obligate the Belarusian leadership to participate in military conflicts
The Kremlin Threatens European Countries Could be Oreshnik’s Next Target
Executive Summary: Russia has developed a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), Oreshnik, based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). In November 2024, Russian armed forces conducted a combined
Russia Updates Nuclear Doctrine, Lowering Threshold for Use of Nuclear Weapons (Part Two)
(Part One) Executive Summary: The Kremlin formally approved a new nuclear doctrine on November 19, following the West’s authorization for Ukraine to utilize its deep strike capabilities on Russian territory.
Russia Responds to Kursk Incursion With Nuclear Exercise and Strategic Maneuvers in Belarus (Part Two)
(Part One) Executive Summary: The Ministries of Defense of Belarus and Russia approved the Zapad-2025 Joint Strategic Exercise (JSE), scheduled for 2025, which will focus on both conventional and nuclear
Russia Responds to Kursk Incursion With Nuclear Exercise and Strategic Maneuvers in Belarus (Part 1)
Executive Summary: Since Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk oblast on August 12, the Kremlin has continued to delay its response, while Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has threatened further escalation if
Russia Updates Nuclear Doctrine, Lowering Threshold for Use of Nuclear Weapons (Part 1)
Executive Summary: The Kremlin announced updates to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons by expanding the list of conditions that would justify such a
Russia and Belarus Hold Joint Non-Strategic Nuclear Exercises (Part Three)
(Part One) (Part Two) Executive Summary: The second phase of the joint non-strategic nuclear exercises between Belarus and Russia sought to improve combat readiness and disentangle deployment tasks with tactical
Russia and Belarus Hold Joint Non-Strategic Nuclear Exercises (Part Two)
Executive Summary: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alyaksandr Lukashenka met in Minsk on May 23 and 24 to discuss synchronizing the second and third phases of their
Russia and Belarus Hold Joint Non-Strategic Nuclear Exercises (Part One)
Executive Summary: Russia and Belarus announced a joint tactical nuclear exercise to signal to Western countries that deploying their troops in Ukraine will lead to nuclear escalation. The general staffs
Minsk Confirms Deployment of Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Belarus
Executive Summary: At the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly in April, Belarusian officials confirmed that Russian tactical nuclear weapons had been deployed in Belarus. The new military doctrine of Belarus declares the
Russia and Belarus War-Game Nuclear Attack on Ukraine and Eastern Europe
Executive Summary: The deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is a political signal to unnerve the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) easternmost member states and a practical preparation
Belarus Addresses Nuclear Weapons in New Military Doctrine
Executive Summary Belarus’s new military doctrine appears to emphasize tactical nuclear weapons as a means of preventing others from attacking the country. While high-ranking military officials use generic phrases about
The Kremlin Resumes Nuclear Testing in Escalation of War in Ukraine (Part Two)
On November 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the bill officially withdrawing Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Putin’s move is designed to restore parity in nuclear arms
The Kremlin Resumes Nuclear Testing in Escalation of Conflict With Ukraine and the West (Part One)
After taking a break for several months, Russian President Vladimir Putin has returned to employing nuclear threats. During his speech at the Valdai Club on October 5, Putin promised not