Amid escalating tensions with Western powers, Russia has announced plans to conduct tactical nuclear weapon drills in response to perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States, the Kremlin disclosed on Monday.
Since its incursion into Ukraine in 2022, Russia has consistently highlighted the growing nuclear risks, a concern acknowledged by the United States, although no change in Russia’s nuclear stance has been observed, according to U.S. officials.
Russia contends that the support provided by the United States and its European allies to Ukraine, including substantial weapon supplies, is pushing the world toward a dangerous confrontation between nuclear powers.
President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian defense ministry to organize military exercises, encompassing the preparation and deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons. The drills will involve missile forces in the Southern Military District, aviation, and the navy, with the primary objective of safeguarding Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in response to what it perceives as provocative statements and threats from certain Western officials.
Russia and the United States possess the majority of the world’s nuclear warheads, with Russia reportedly holding about 1,558 non-strategic nuclear warheads, although precise figures remain uncertain due to limited transparency.
While no nuclear weapons have been used in warfare since 1945, concerns about nuclear risks persist. U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of Russia employing nuclear weapons, yet reports suggest contingency planning was undertaken for a potential Russian nuclear strike against Ukraine in 2022.
While some Western and Ukrainian officials dismiss Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling as bluffing, the Kremlin has reiterated its willingness to break the nuclear taboo if Russia’s existence is threatened.
The latest move by Russia comes in response to remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, British officials, and a U.S. Senate representative, as tensions escalate over Ukraine. Putin has cautioned against a direct conflict between Russia and NATO, warning that such a scenario could lead to a global catastrophe.
As NATO conducts its largest military exercise since the Cold War, dubbed “Steadfast Defender,” concerns about nuclear escalation loom. Despite calls for changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, Putin has maintained that existing policies suffice to address potential threats to Russia’s security.
The conflict in Ukraine is increasingly portrayed as a clash between Russia and the West, with differing narratives regarding its causes and consequences. While Putin frames it as a defense of Russia’s historical sphere of influence, Western leaders denounce it as an unjust territorial grab by an autocratic regime, pledging support for Ukraine’s defense while ruling out direct NATO involvement.
