Putin Announces Tactical Nuclear Weapons Drills in Response to Western "Threats"
Putin Announces Tactical Nuclear Weapons Drills in Response to Western "Threats"
Russian leader Vladimir Putin initiates tactical nuclear weapons exercises in reaction to perceived threats from Western countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the country’s military to conduct drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, in response to what the Kremlin calls “provocative statements and threats” by Western officials against Russia. The announcement marks the first time Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons since invading Ukraine in 2022. According to Russia’s defense ministry, the exercises will involve missile formations of the Southern Military District, along with aviation and naval forces, and are intended to “increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to fulfill combat tasks.”
Kremlin Cites Western Statements as Reason for Drills
The move comes after recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron about potentially deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine. Macron said he would not rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine, while Cameron stated that Ukraine could use British-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said these comments constituted a “completely new round of escalation of tension” and were “unprecedented,” prompting the decision to hold the nuclear drills.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned both the French and British ambassadors, warning that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with U.K.-supplied weapons could bring retaliatory strikes on British military facilities and equipment. The drills are set to take place on the eve of Putin’s inauguration for a fifth presidential term and during the week when Russia celebrates Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Tactical Nuclear Weapons and International Concern
Tactical nuclear weapons, also known as non-strategic or battlefield nuclear weapons, are designed for use on a smaller scale than strategic nuclear weapons. They typically have a lower yield and shorter range, and are intended for more limited military objectives. The announcement has stirred concern among Western officials and international organizations.
NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah called the drills “dangerous and irresponsible,” while the United Nations expressed worry about the increasing discussions of nuclear weapons by various parties in recent times. The heightened tensions come amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has strained relations between Moscow and the West.
Drills Highlight Escalating Tensions
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