Maxim Starchak
Maxim Starchak is a Fellow at the Centre for International and Defence Policy of Queen’s University (Canada).
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Articles by Maxim Starchak
Russia Reconsiders Its Air Defense Strategy
Throughout January 2023, Russian Telegram channels worried Muscovites with footage of the placement of air defense systems on the rooftops of official government buildings in Moscow. For example, the Pantsir
The Results of Russia’s 2022 Nuclear Modernization
As its war against Ukraine drags on, Russia continues to press ahead with its nuclear modernization program. In 2022, Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) were ordered to deploy 21 launchers
Russian Airborne Troops Again Required to Be Ready for WMD
The Russian Armed Forces are apparently readying for the potential use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In April, a large number of vacancies for contract military service members appeared
Russian Strategy and Strategic Capabilities in the War With Ukraine
Russia’s war in Ukraine—or as President Vladimir Putin has termed it, “special military operation” (Kremlin.ru, February 24)—not only spotlights the relative strengths and weaknesses of the Armed Forces of the
The Nuclear Potential of Belarus in the Context of NATO-Russia Relations (Part Two)
*To read Part One, please click here. After the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) predictably rebuked Russia’s maximalist proposals for new security guarantees, President Vladimir Putin
The Nuclear Potential of Belarus in the Context of NATO-Russia Relations (Part One)
On December 17, 2021, Russia published draft “proposals” on security guarantees with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States. Moscow expressed dissatisfaction with NATO’s eastward enlargement, Western
Year 2021 in Review: The Results of Russia’s Nuclear Weapons Modernization
Russia continues to press ahead with its nuclear weapons modernization program; but since not all goals were achieved the previous year, in 2021 the Russian military industry was forced to
Crimea’s Nuclear Potential: A Return to Soviet Practices
On April 12, amid escalating tensions along the Ukrainian border, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran expressed concern that “Crimea’s infrastructure is being prepared for potentially storing nuclear weapons” (Radio Svoboda,
Year 2020 in Review: Results of Russia’s Nuclear Weapons Modernization
Russia continues to press ahead with its nuclear weapons modernization program; however, domestic production difficulties and the coronavirus pandemic hindered the development of its latest strategic systems during the course
COVID-19 Slows Down Development of Russia’s Naval Nuclear Forces
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the output of all sectors of Russian industry, including arms manufacturers (see EDM, April 20, 21, 29, July 28). And despite the fact that
The Borei-A SSBN: How Effective Is Russia’s New Nuclear Submarine?
On June 12, the first Borei-A class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the Knyaz Vladimir, officially entered service with the Russian Northern Fleet (Mil.ru, June 12). The submarine’s transfer to the
New S-350 Missile System Will Strengthen Russian Air Defense
At the end of February 2020, the Russian Aerospace Forces received their first S-350 Vityaz medium-range air-defense missile system. This initial battery will be used at the Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops
Key Features of Russia’s Grom 2019 Nuclear Exercise
Russia held its annual Grom (Thunder) strategic nuclear forces exercise on October 15–17 (see EDM, October 21, 22). About 12,000 service personnel; 213 launchers of the Strategic Missile Forces; up
Complexities and Challenges of Russia’s Avangard Hypersonic Glide Reentry Vehicle
Late last year, President Vladimir Putin referred to the Avangard hypersonic glide reentry vehicle (RV) as a “gift” to Russia for 2019 (NTV, December 26, 2018). And recently, he compared
Russia’s Intermediate-Range Missile Production Challenge
After President Donald Trump’s stated decision to withdraw the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev (see
A Year in Review: Russia’s Contradictory and Inconsequential Policies on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Arms Control
Russia, one of the world’s two largest nuclear powers, pursued internally contradictory and frequently inconsequential policies during 2017 when it came to questions of limiting further proliferation of these weapons
Russia Terminates Development of New Rail-Mobile Ballistic Missile
In early December, Russian news sources reported that further development work on the Barguzin railroad combat complex (BZhRK), a train armed with a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), was being
Russia’s Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Faces Development Problems
Russia’s nuclear weapons modernization program raises suspicions and fear internationally. This process, however, faces serious difficulties. A case in point is the Tu-160 strategic bomber, whose maker, Joint Stock Company
Russia’s Sarmat ICBM Faces Development Problems
The Russian budget for 2017–2019, which the State Duma (lower chamber of parliament) adopted last December, predicts that federal budget revenues will continue to decline in the next three years