RED ALERT: RUSSIA Goes NUCLEAR In UKRAINE
The world is growing increasingly perilous with each passing day, as NATO, the EU, and Russia find themselves embroiled in a European conflict that shows no signs of abating. The alarming escalation of nuclear weapons being brought into the conversation is cause for grave concern. Recently reelected President Vladimir Putin has ordered the commencement of the ‘first stage’ of exercises simulating the preparation for the launch of tactical nuclear weapons.
This move, as reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry, is a response to what they term ‘militant statements’ from Western officials that they claim pose security threats to Russia. Reuters has suggested that these exercises are a calculated warning signal from Putin, aimed at deterring the West from further involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. Western countries have provided support in the form of weapons and intelligence to Kyiv but have stopped short of sending troops.
The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that this initial phase of the drill involves the use of Iskander and Kinzhal missiles. The ministry has stated that the exercises are designed to ensure the readiness of units and equipment for ‘the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons to respond and unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state in response to provocative statements and threats from individual Western officials against the Russian Federation’.
These exercises are being led by the Southern Military District, which borders Ukraine and recently annexed territories. The situation has escalated to the point where Reuters feels compelled to speculate on the potential consequences of such an attack, a scenario that, unfortunately, is no longer unthinkable.
In theory, the deployment of such a weapon could deliver a significant shock to the West without necessarily instigating a full-scale nuclear war. However, the risk of triggering a cycle of escalation would be substantial. It is estimated that Russia possesses approximately 1,558 non-strategic nuclear warheads.
Video footage released by the ministry depicts missiles being transported in a convoy of military vehicles and positioned for launch. The timing of the exercises, as indicated by the Kremlin, will be determined at the ‘appropriate time’.
Sputnik has reported that these drills are focused on the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, with the aim of ensuring Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in response to provocative statements and threats from certain Western officials. President Vladimir Putin has described the exercises involving the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons as routine work, with nothing out of the ordinary. He also noted that the drills would be conducted in three stages, with Belarus joining Russia in the second stage, as Belarus hosts non-strategic nuclear weapons.
In this first stage of the exercise, Russian missile formations are practicing tasks such as obtaining special ammunition for the Iskander complex, equipping missiles with it, and moving covertly to a position area to prepare for launch; equipping special warheads for air defense systems, including Kinzhal missiles, as well as flights to designated patrol areas.
The Chinese publication Sohu, as reported by Slavyangrad, has written about this development, suggesting that ‘the Kremlin gave Britain an ultimatum, deciding to forever determine how the provocations would turn out’. According to the Chinese journalists, ‘This is not a joke, Putin has given Great Britain an ultimatum’. They have observed that the president’s actions, including the ordering of exercises using non-strategic nuclear forces, have led Britain to soften its rhetoric.
Earlier, British Foreign Minister David Cameron stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces could potentially use British weapons to attack Russian territories. Following this, the British Ambassador to Moscow, Nigel Casey, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry.