Russia informed the United States on August 8 that it was suspending inspections of its nuclear weapons under the bilateral Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).

"On August 8, 2022, the Russian Federation officially informed the United States of America through diplomatic channels that our country is temporarily withdrawing its facilities subject to inspections under the START Treaty from the scope of inspections under this Treaty. This withdrawal also applies to facilities where screenings stipulated by the Treaty can be held," stated the Russian Foreign Ministry

Under the bilateral treaty between Russia and the United States on the mutual reduction of their arsenals of deployed strategic nuclear weapons, each of the parties undertook to reduce their deployed nuclear warheads. It has been in effect since 1991.

On 29 January 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the treaty once again until 5 February 2026.