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Putin increases tensions with NATO: he ordered military exercises with tactical nuclear weapons. Learn more about the tense global scenario
Russia, under Putin's direction, plans to carry out maneuvers simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, as announced on Monday by the Defense Ministry, a few days after the Kremlin reacted with outrage to statements by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine. “During the exercise, a series of measures will be taken to train in the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement published on Telegram. Exercises are a response to “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials about the Russian Federation,” the statement said.
The Kremlin's Defense Ministry did not provide details on the date and location of the exercises and argued that they respond to "provocative statements and threats from certain Western officials."
Exercise Details
He added that the measure was taken “on instructions from the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation”, Vladimir Putin. The exercises will include aviation, navy and forces from the Southern Military District, which is based very close to Ukraine and covers Ukrainian regions whose annexation is claimed by Moscow. This is the first time Russia has publicly announced mock tactical nuclear weapons, although its strategic nuclear forces regularly carry out maneuvers. Tactical nuclear weapons are lower in power than the huge warheads used by intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to destroy entire cities.
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Putin's Response to Western Comments
For its part, the Kremlin said the drills were a response to Western comments about sending troops to Ukraine. “It is obvious that we are talking about statements by Mr Macron and British representatives,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, when asked what had motivated the drills. “They are talking about the willingness and even the intention to send armed contingents to Ukraine, that is, in fact, to put NATO soldiers face to face with the Russian military,” he added. “This is a completely new round of escalating tensions. It is unprecedented and requires special measures.”
Political implications
French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated last week that he did not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Kiev's forces may use weapons long-range British weapons to hit targets inside Russia. The Kremlin considered these statements dangerous, increasing tensions between Russia and NATO. Non-strategic nuclear weapons, also known as tactical nuclear weapons, are designed for battlefield use and can be delivered by missiles.
Risk of Nuclear War
Putin has ramped up his nuclear rhetoric, warning in an address to the nation in February that there is a “real” risk of nuclear war. In October 2023, Russia announced that Putin supervised ballistic missile launches during military maneuvers intended to simulate “a massive nuclear attack” by Moscow. The announcement came as authorities in the Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, reported the deadliest Ukrainian drone attack in weeks, while Kiev said Russian strikes had left hundreds of thousands of people without electricity.
