Russia begins nuclear drills as a clear warning to the West over Ukraine – vopbuzz
RussiaThe military on Tuesday began drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, which were announced by Russian officials earlier this month as a clear warning to senior Western officials who had talked about the possibility of deeper involvement in the war. Ukraine.
Although its strategic nuclear forces conduct regular exercises, this is the first time Russia has publicly announced exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defense on Tuesday, the first phase of the new exercises envisages “practical training on the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons”, including nuclear-capable Kinzhal and Iskander missiles.
The exercises are being held in the Southern Military District, which consists of Russian regions in the south, including the border with Ukraine; Crimea, illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014; and four Ukrainian regions that Russia illegally annexed and partially occupied in 2022.
The drills were announced on May 6, and the Ministry of Defense said in a statement that the drills would be held in response to “provocative statements and threats by some Western officials regarding the Russian Federation.”
Tactical nuclear weapons include aerial bombs, warheads for short-range missiles, and artillery munitions and are designed for use on the battlefield. They are less powerful than strategic weapons; huge warheads that arm intercontinental ballistic missiles and aim to destroy entire cities.
The statement came after the French President. Emmanuel Macron He reiterated that he did not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Kiev forces could use British long-range weapons to hit targets inside Russia. The Kremlin called these comments dangerous and increased tensions between Russia and NATO.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 6 that Macron’s statement and other statements by British and US officials had led to the crisis. nuclear drillsHe described the statements as “a new round of escalation”.
Although its strategic nuclear forces conduct regular exercises, this is the first time Russia has publicly announced exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defense on Tuesday, the first phase of the new exercises envisages “practical training on the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons”, including nuclear-capable Kinzhal and Iskander missiles.
The exercises are being held in the Southern Military District, which consists of Russian regions in the south, including the border with Ukraine; Crimea, illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014; and four Ukrainian regions that Russia illegally annexed and partially occupied in 2022.
The drills were announced on May 6, and the Ministry of Defense said in a statement that the drills would be held in response to “provocative statements and threats by some Western officials regarding the Russian Federation.”
Tactical nuclear weapons include aerial bombs, warheads for short-range missiles, and artillery munitions and are designed for use on the battlefield. They are less powerful than strategic weapons; huge warheads that arm intercontinental ballistic missiles and aim to destroy entire cities.
The statement came after the French President. Emmanuel Macron He reiterated that he did not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Kiev forces could use British long-range weapons to hit targets inside Russia. The Kremlin called these comments dangerous and increased tensions between Russia and NATO.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 6 that Macron’s statement and other statements by British and US officials had led to the crisis. nuclear drillsHe described the statements as “a new round of escalation”.
