Russia’s Ministry of Defense has announced the country will conduct military drills involving tactical nuclear weapons. These exercises being the first of their kind to be publicly disclosed by the Kremlin. The drills are a response to what Russia deems as “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation.”
Tactical nuclear weapons, distinct from their strategic counterparts, are designed for battlefield use with yields as small as 1 kiloton—far less devastating than the intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to annihilate entire cities. Despite their reduced power, these weapons can significantly alter the battlefield and, as of now, remain unchecked by arms control agreements.
The backdrop to this development is a tapestry of heightened rhetoric and strategic posturing. Following France President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion of potentially sending troops to Ukraine and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remarks about Ukraine’s entitlement to use British-supplied weapons to strike inside Russia, Moscow has taken a defiant stance. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described these Western statements as reaching “unprecedented levels” of provocation, requiring special attention and special measures.
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, did not mince words when he expressed that the Western leaders’ comments risk pushing the nuclear-armed world towards a “global catastrophe.” The drills, intended to “increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to fulfill combat tasks,” come as Moscow observes a momentous national occasion—Victory Day, which celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
International concerns are palpable. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric conveyed alarm at the rising discourse on nuclear weaponry, cautioning against actions that could lead to miscalculations with catastrophic consequences. Western nations also have not held back their apprehension. Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billström labeled the exercises as contributing to increased instability and being “particularly irresponsible and reckless” given the current security environment.
The Russian announcement stirred little reaction in Ukraine, where the spokesman for the Military Intelligence agency, Andrii Yusov, said on national television: “Nuclear blackmail is a usual practice of Putin’s regime; it does not constitute major news.”
Western officials have blamed Russia for threatening a wider war through provocative acts. NATO countries said last week they are deeply concerned by a campaign of hybrid activities on the military alliance’s soil, accusing Moscow of being behind them and saying they represent a security threat.
Amid these developments, the Kremlin has proceeded with its plans, conducting exercises with missile formations of the Southern Military District and its naval forces. Additionally, Belarus, a Russian ally, has conducted a “surprise inspection” of non-strategic nuclear arms carriers.
The Pentagon, while noting no change in Russia’s “strategic force posture,” has called the drills “completely inappropriate” and a continuation of Russia’s past “irresponsible rhetoric.”
Relevant articles:
– What are tactical nuclear weapons and why did Russia order drills? , ABC News, 05/09/2024
– Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West’s possible deepening role in Ukraine, The Associated Press, 05/06/2024
– Putin orders tactical nuclear weapons drills in response to Western ‘threats’, CNN, 05/07/2024
– Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after ‘provocative’ Western threats, Al Jazeera English, 05/06/2024