Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Ukrainian attacks on Russian military airfields had not caused significant damage to the country’s nuclear deterrent. The statement, made amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s strategic sites, underscores Moscow’s confidence in maintaining its military might. At the same time, the escalation of drone and missile attacks has raised questions about the security of key elements of Russia’s defense infrastructure and heightened tensions in the region.

Ryabkov stressed that Russia's nuclear deterrent forces remain fully operational, despite Ukraine's attempts to undermine them. Russia is taking all necessary measures to protect its weapons, including strategic bombers and other elements of the nuclear triad. Ryabkov's statement was a response to recent reports of Ukrainian drone strikes on airfields where nuclear-capable aircraft are based.