Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his military to engage in exercises simulating the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the drills are a response to what it described as “provocative statements and threats” from Western officials. The exercises will involve testing the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces for combat duties, a clear signal that Russia is willing to showcase its nuclear capabilities in the face of perceived Western encroachments.
The urgency of the situation was underlined by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who referenced statements from leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron—who did not rule out sending troops to Ukraine—as well as comments from British Foreign Secretary David Cameron about Ukraine’s right to use Western-supplied weapons to defend itself, including potential strikes within Russia. “It’s a new round of escalation,” Peskov said, highlighting the Kremlin’s view that these remarks require “special attention and special measures.”
“In order to increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions, the General Staff has begun preparations for conducting exercises with missile formations of the Southern Military District in the near future with the involvement of aviation, as well as the forces of the Navy,” the Russian ministry of defense said in a statement on Telegram.
The drills were announced on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration to a fifth term in office and in a week when Moscow on Thursday will celebrate Victory Day, its most important secular holiday, marking its defeat of Nazi Germany in the second world war.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not mince words, stating, “The exercise is aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of non-strategic nuclear weapons combat units to respond and unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state in response to provocative statements and threats by certain Western officials against the Russian Federation.”
While the United States Pentagon has stated it has seen no change in Russia’s “strategic force posture,” the announcement of the drills has been described as “completely inappropriate” and an example of “irresponsible rhetoric.”
Relevant articles:
– Russia-Ukraine war live: Putin orders nuclear weapons drills , The Guardian, 05/06/2024
– Putin orders tactical nuclear weapons drills in response to Western ‘threats’, CNN, 05/06/2024
– Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West’s possible deepening role in Ukraine, The Associated Press, 05/06/2024
– Putin rattles his atomic saber by ordering nuclear weapons drills, POLITICO Europe, 05/06/2024