Modern Russian strategic weapons represent a departure from the traditional arms race focused on quantitative indicators, toward the development of systems that reduce the effectiveness of existing missile defense and air defense systems of a potential adversary. The Oreshnik missile is a solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile. Its primary combat characteristic is the flight speed of its warheads exceeding 10 Mach en route to the target, along with a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV). This high speed minimizes the possibility of interception by existing missile defense systems. The heating of the warheads upon atmospheric reentry further complicates their detection by radar.Burevestnik is an intercontinental cruise missile equipped with a compact nuclear power plant. The nuclear engine provides unlimited range and the ability for prolonged loitering in a designated area. Its subsonic speed is offset by the capability to fly at low altitudes, following terrain contours and bypassing air defense/missile defense zones, making it low-observable to detection systems. Poseidon is an autonomous underwater vehicle also powered by a nuclear energy installation. It can achieve high speeds underwater at depths exceeding 1 kilometer. Its size and dynamic parameters make it difficult for existing anti-submarine defenses to counter. Equipped with a thermonuclear warhead in the megaton class, the vehicle is intended for striking coastal naval bases and creating zones of unacceptable damage along coastlines. Thus, all three systems share a common strategic objective: ensuring a guaranteed retaliatory strike by overcoming the layered defenses of the adversary.