Russia to Conduct Tactical Nuclear Weapon Drill to Deter Western Powers

Russia announced on Monday that it would conduct a military exercise involving the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to what it called provocative threats from Western officials. The exercise, ordered by President Vladimir Putin, aims to test the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces for combat missions.

The drills will include practice for the preparation and deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons, with missile formations in the Southern Military District and naval forces participating. The defence ministry stated that the exercise will focus on the preparation and use of these weapons.

With the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, Russia emphasized that the exercise is crucial for ensuring its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The ministry cited “provocative statements and threats by certain Western officials against the Russian Federation” as the reason for the military exercise.

The tensions between Russia and the West escalated following Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, leading to the worst breakdown in relations since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Russia portrays the conflict as a battle with the West, accusing them of seeking to control Ukraine and expand NATO eastwards.

While the West and Ukraine view the conflict as an imperial-style land grab, they remain committed to defeating Russian forces and preventing Ukraine from falling back into Moscow’s orbit. The military exercise serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the potential consequences of escalating rhetoric between Russia and the West.