Russian forces conduct military exercises near Ukraine
Russian forces have begun military exercises near Ukraine simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to what Moscow sees as threats from Western officials about greater involvement in the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the drills earlier this month in a move that Russian officials said was a warning to the West not to further escalate tensions. The Kremlin has been particularly angry with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has raised the possibility of sending European troops to fight Russia in Ukraine. And also with the statements of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, who said that Ukraine had the right to use the weapons supplied by London to target places in Russia.
Military exercises in the Southern Military District of Russia
The exercises are taking place in Russia’s Southern Military District, based in Rostov-on-Don, which borders Ukraine and includes parts of the country occupied by Russia. The ministry highlighted that this was the first stage of the exercises, which involved practicing loading launch vehicles, driving to launch sites and loading planes with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
Russian tactical nuclear weapons
Russia has numerous weapons systems capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads, meaning those designed for use on the battlefield, as opposed to strategic warheads that could annihilate entire cities. Unlike strategic weapons, which have been subject to arms control agreements between Russia and the United States, tactical weapons have never been limited by such pacts, and Russia has not disclosed their numbers or any other details .
Putin’s warnings and tensions with NATO
Putin has often talked up Moscow’s nuclear arsenal in the early days of his invasion of Ukraine, repeatedly vowing to use any means necessary to defend Russia. He later appeared to moderate his rhetoric, allegedly after Chinese officials persuaded him to drop his nuclear threats. Recently, however, he has warned NATO countries that they risked a nuclear war if they deployed troops to Ukraine.