Explanation:

Russia took over as the only nuclear state of the post-soviet space. The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, and as a result, the nuclear arsenal of the Soviet Union was divided among the newly independent states, including Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. However, in 1996, Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Kazakhstan and Belarus also eventually agreed to give up their nuclear weapons.

Heading: Russia's Nuclear Arsenal

- Russia inherited the majority of the Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal after its dissolution in 1991.
- As of 2021, Russia possesses the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world, with approximately 6,255 warheads.
- Russia's nuclear weapons are controlled by the military and are considered a critical component of the country's national security strategy.

Heading: Post-Soviet Nuclear Disarmament

- After the fall of the Soviet Union, several newly independent states inherited nuclear weapons.
- Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus agreed to give up their nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
- Ukraine's disarmament was completed in 1996, while Kazakhstan and Belarus completed their disarmament in 1995.

Heading: Russia's Nuclear Deterrence

- Russia views its nuclear arsenal as a critical component of its national defense strategy.
- The country's nuclear doctrine states that it reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to a conventional attack that threatens the country's existence.
- Russia has also invested heavily in modernizing its nuclear arsenal, including the development of new delivery systems and warhead designs.