Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Sarov, the site of the Federal Nuclear Center and a key enterprise in Russia's nuclear weapons complex, where he paid tribute to Yulii Khariton, the chief designer of the first Soviet atomic bomb. During his visit, Putin highlighted the strength of Russia's nuclear industry, noting that nearly half a million people work in the sector and that the nuclear scientists have created a reliable nuclear shield that underpins the country’s independent and sovereign development. Concurrently, the head of Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear corporation, emphasized the need to modernize the country's nuclear shield in the coming years due to what he described as "colossal threats" to Russia's existence. This call for an upgrade reflects concerns about evolving global security challenges and the necessity to strengthen Russia's nuclear defenses.