Putin Threatens World With Claims of ‘Unparalleled’ Weapons, Says Disinformation Center

Russia’s nuclear threats, issued shortly after the United States imposed new sanctions on energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, represent psychological warfare rather than military strength, according to Ukraine’s national security officials.

The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), operating under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent boasts about testing the Poseidon nuclear drone and Burevestnik missile were deliberately timed to follow the American sanctions announcement.

“These claims about the ‘beginning of a new military era’ are not coincidental,” a CCD spokesperson said. “They represent a calculated attempt to instill fear among Western decision-makers precisely when economic pressure on Russia’s energy sector has intensified.”

The sanctions targeting Rosneft and Lukoil strike at the heart of Russia’s economy, potentially limiting the Kremlin’s ability to finance its ongoing military operations in Ukraine. Energy exports remain Russia’s primary source of foreign currency, with these two companies representing a significant portion of the country’s petroleum industry.

According to the Ukrainian agency, Putin’s nuclear rhetoric serves multiple strategic objectives. The primary goal appears to be intimidating Ukraine’s allies, particularly the United States, into reconsidering their support for Kyiv. Additionally, the CCD suggests Moscow hopes to slow the delivery of military aid and ultimately force Ukraine into accepting peace terms favorable to Russian interests.

“What we’re witnessing is a classic intimidation tactic,” explained a security analyst familiar with Russian military doctrine. “When facing increased pressure, the Kremlin historically escalates its nuclear rhetoric to shift the narrative and create leverage in diplomatic discussions.”

The CCD emphasized that these threats indicate weakness rather than strength. “The sanctions have clearly rattled Moscow to such an extent that Putin has resorted to dusting off the entire Soviet and Russian missile catalog in an attempt to frighten the world,” their statement noted. Officials pointed out that despite the threatening language, Russia faces significant constraints in actually deploying such weapons.

Andriy Kovalenko, who heads the CCD, specifically addressed Putin’s claims about the Burevestnik missile, describing them as “an information operation by the Kremlin.” The Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile with theoretically unlimited range, has been plagued by development problems, with previous tests reportedly resulting in failures and radiation leaks.

“Russia is systematically targeting European public opinion,” Kovalenko stated. “Their objective is to generate fear among European populations to undermine political support for Ukraine.”

Military experts note that while Russia’s strategic weapons development cannot be dismissed entirely, the timing and nature of these announcements follow a predictable pattern of information warfare rather than genuine military breakthroughs.

The Poseidon, sometimes called a “doomsday weapon,” is reportedly an autonomous underwater vehicle capable of delivering a nuclear warhead across vast distances. However, independent verification of its operational status remains difficult, and Western intelligence agencies have expressed skepticism about Russia’s claims regarding its readiness.

This latest exchange highlights the multidimensional nature of the conflict, where economic sanctions, information warfare, and conventional military operations intersect. As Western allies continue to support Ukraine with increasingly sophisticated weapons systems, Russia appears to be leveraging its nuclear arsenal—at least rhetorically—to counterbalance its conventional military setbacks.

The CCD concluded that the Kremlin’s threats reflect “growing isolation, economic pressure, and fear of the inevitable consequences of its own aggression” rather than genuine military confidence. As the war approaches its third year, this pattern of nuclear saber-rattling has become a familiar, if concerning, feature of Russia’s communication strategy.