President Vladimir Putin has directed Russian forces to conduct military drills involving the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats from the West. This decision comes in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and escalating tensions with Western nations.
While Putin has previously hinted at the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons against the West, this marks the first public announcement of such drills by Russia. The Russian defense ministry stated that the exercises would focus on preparing and utilizing non-strategic nuclear weapons, which are designed for battlefield scenarios and have lower destructive power compared to strategic nuclear weapons.
The drills were reportedly initiated in response to what Russia deemed as provocative statements and threats from Western officials. French President Emmanuel Macron recently expressed concerns about Russia's actions in Ukraine and did not rule out the deployment of Western troops to the region. Similarly, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron emphasized Ukraine's right to defend itself with the military support provided by the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, the United States recently passed an aid package for Ukraine, enabling the delivery of essential military equipment and ammunition to bolster the country's defenses against Russian aggression. Despite Russia's military advances in eastern Ukraine, the US aid is expected to strengthen Ukraine's position on the frontlines.
Putin's decision to rehearse deploying tactical nuclear weapons comes amidst strained relations with Western powers and his administration's suspension of the New START treaty, a significant nuclear arms reduction agreement with the United States. While US officials have downplayed concerns about a potential nuclear conflict, they remain vigilant in monitoring Russia's actions.
Russia's defense ministry announced that upcoming military exercises would involve missile formations from the Southern Military District, including aviation and naval forces. The drills signify Russia's readiness to respond to perceived threats and assert its military capabilities in the face of escalating tensions with the West.
