Series synopsis
Putin's secret weapons, also known as Les armes secrètes de Poutine is a French documentary war & politics television series that premiered on ARTE on January 20, 2026. It was created by Hugo Van Offel, Martin Boudot.
The Russian army has no shortage of weapons despite sanctions: With an arsenal mixing old Soviet stocks and modern hypersonic weapons, the country could strike Europe in minutes. An opaque network of spies, shell companies and oligarchs ensures its war capacity through the arms trade, technology theft and state-organized policy of terror.
Premise
The Russian army has no shortage of weapons despite sanctions: With an arsenal mixing old Soviet stocks and modern hypersonic weapons, the country could strike Europe in minutes. An opaque network of spies, shell companies and oligarchs ensures its war capacity through the arms trade, technology theft and state-organized policy of terror.
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 2 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 2 | January 20, 2026 | January 20, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Weapons for a new war In the heart of Russia, a sprawling arsenal mixes Soviet relics and hypersonic weapons capable of reaching Europe in a few minutes. Behind this firepower, a network of spies, front companies and oligarchs maintains the war effort despite sanctions. Between arms trafficking, technology misappropriation and state terror, this two-part documentary reveals behind the scenes of a system ready to do anything to maintain its destructive power. |
January 20, 2026 |
| 2 |
Weapons for a new order From Iranian drones to North Korean missiles, Putin's empire is weaving its new alliances in the shadows. A secret factory is emerging in Russia, ports are reborn in the Sea of Japan, ghost ships exchange weapons and technologies transiting through China. In this second part: spotlight on these unacknowledged pacts which outline a world in tilt, where a new anti-Western axis redefines the balance of power. |
January 20, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ARTE |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 20, 2026 |
| Last aired | January 20, 2026 |
| Runtime | 102 minutes |
| Status | continue |