Abstract. The article explores the problems of strategic stability in the context of a significant deterioration of the international situation, especially the U.S.-Russia relations. The main drivers and factors of this deterioration are analyzed. Among other things, they make the transition to a nuclear-free world impossible in any foreseeable future. Against this backdrop, the author formulates the imperative for developing new foundations of strategic stability and assessing its new global parameters. It is argued that the new concept of strategic stability сan no longer be reduced to its narrow interpretation as prevention of nuclear confrontation among major nuclear powers. Instead, it should consider the entire, wide range of factors that determine security paradigms in realities of the contemporary world order. The article also examines current programs for modernization of Russian strategic forces in view of strategic stability maintenance and protection of Russia’s national interests.