"Last I checked Russia still exists (although no longer with the Soviet system) and it still has those nukes and can still use them."
Thanks--you just made my point.
Military forces are there to ensure the survival of the nation-state controlling them. Survival of the nation-state includes the survival of the nation-state's system of government.
The Soviet nuclear forces failed to accomplish that mission.
It was not the failure of the nuclear forces or military forces it was the failure of the sadists who ran that place. Although Putin is there trying to reinstate the system. But that is anbother matter entirly. Without our nukes we would not be here today, WWII would have lasted years longer, China would have long taken Taiwan already and Stalin would have controlled all of Europe. Instead of disarming we need more. Even in regional conflicts we would need them. The 5000lb bunker buster is only good against shallow targets. North Korea has a 4 million man army.
Nukes are far from useless. Read more about the before you go storming off in denial of the fact that we need a strong nuclear force.