Graphic Truth

The Graphic Truth: Nuclear weapons — who has what?

The Graphic Truth: Nuclear weapons — who has what?
Ari Winkleman

Vladimir Putin has the Russian military on nuclear alert in response to Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But what does that mean in terms of numbers? Russia has the most warheads deployed — 1,625 — of any nuclear power other than the US. What’s more, the Russians could soon become the second country after the US to store nukes in another country. Belarus, a top Russian ally, recently tweaked its constitution to allow this. Here's a look at which nuclear powers have warhead stockpiles — and who's ready to use them.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with journalists to comment on new U.S. sanctions targeting two major Russia's oil producers, as well as other international issues, in Moscow, Russia, October 23, 2025.
Sputnik/Alexander Shcherbak/Pool via REUTERS

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A Boeing C-135 Stratotanker / Stratolifter military aircraft known as KC-135 of the United States Air Force USAF configured as Air Tanker Transport for aerial refueling, powered by 4x CFMI jet engines and tail number 63-8003. The military plane spotted flying over the Netherlands in the blue sky from Mainland USA to Tel Aviv TLV to support the Israel USA - Iran war known as Operation Epic Fury by the US Department of Defense. Venlo, the Netherlands on March 2, 2026
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