"We are ready as soon as we are notified", Russia prepares the plan for nuclear tests in the Arctic

Russia is ready to conduct a nuclear test in the Arctic, for the first time since 1990. The main leader of Russian nuclear tests, Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn, announced the news in an interview with Russian media.

According to Sinistin, his secret facility was ready to resume nuclear tests "at any moment" if Moscow gave the order. Reuters believes these rare comments could fuel concerns that the risk of such a step is looming.

"The test site is ready for the resumption of full-scale testing activities. It is ready in its entirety. The laboratory and testing facilities are ready. The staff is ready. If the order comes, we can start testing at any moment. The most important thing for us is not to hinder the implementation of state duties. If the task of resuming the tests is decided, it will be carried out within the specified period", declared Andrei Sinitsyn, the rear admiral of the Russian army.

Moscow has not conducted a new nuclear weapons test since 1990, the year before the fall of the Soviet Union, but some Western and Russian analysts say President Vladimir Putin could order such a step as he tries to send a message of restraint to the West if it allows Ukraine to use its long-range missiles to strike Russia, something that is under discussion.

Analysts believe a nuclear test by Russia could encourage others such as China or the United States to follow suit, starting a new nuclear arms race between the major powers.

Russia's test site, located on the remote archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, was where the Soviet Union conducted more than 200 nuclear tests, including detonating the world's most powerful nuclear bomb in 1961. It is closely monitored by satellites western spies for recent activity.