Russia to hold nuclear drills following ‘threats’ from West
Russia has initiated preparations for missile exercises close to Ukraine, which will simulate the utilization of tactical nuclear armaments in response to perceived “threats” from Western officials.
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, recent remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron represent a “completely new escalation of tension.”
Last week, Macron declined to dismiss the potential deployment of French troops if requested by Kyiv, while Cameron asserted Ukraine’s right to employ British weaponry for strikes within Russian territory.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday that Cameron’s “hostile rhetoric” contradicted previous assurances from Britain that the long-range missiles provided to Ukraine would not be utilized on Russian soil, implicating the UK as a “party to the conflict.”
The ministry further warned that in response to Ukrainian strikes using British weaponry on Russian territory, Russian forces could target any British military installations and equipment within Ukraine and beyond.
Additionally, Macron’s mention of possible French troop deployment to Ukraine was interpreted as “preparedness for direct confrontation with Russia” by the Russian ministry.
Both the British and French ambassadors to Moscow were summoned in response to these developments.
The tactical nuclear weapons exercises, announced on Monday, were reportedly ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as conveyed by the TASS news agency. These drills are expected to occur “shortly” and will involve missile units, as well as air and naval forces.
Tactical nuclear weapons are small nuclear warheads and delivery systems intended for use on the battlefield, or for a limited strike.
They are designed to destroy enemy targets in a specific area without causing widespread radioactive fallout.
Strategic nuclear weapons, on the other hand, are large and designed to be fired at a long range – for example, between continents. Russia holds regular drills with strategic nuclear weapons.
In April, Belarus’s long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko said “several dozen” tactical nuclear weapons were stationed in his country.
A Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman dismissed the announcement that drills would take place, calling it “nuclear blackmail”.
But Nato spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah said it was “dangerous and irresponsible” and stated that Nato remained “vigilant”.
Following a meeting in Paris with Mr Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that she hoped President Xi would help de-escalate Russia’s “irresponsible” nuclear threats.
Russia’s sabre-rattling come on the eve of President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration for a fifth presidential term.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry has said it will no longer regard Vladimir Putin as a legitimate president after his inauguration and has urged other countries and international organizations to follow suit.
However, a French diplomatic source quoted by Reuters said the French ambassador would attend the ceremony.
Germany and several other European countries have ruled out sending their envoys.
