In response to Western threats, Putin ordered the holding of "non-strategic nuclear forces exercises" combat readiness | nuclear weapons | nuclear forces
According to reports, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 6th that Russia will hold exercises in the near future to improve the combat readiness level of non-strategic nuclear forces in performing combat missions.
Russia stated that this was in response to successive threats and provocations from Western officials.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the exercise was ordered by President Vladimir Putin and will test the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to perform combat missions.
Currently, the Russian General Staff has begun preparations for the southern military district missile formation exercise to be held in the near future, in which the Russian aviation and navy will also participate.
According to the information, Russia refers to tactical nuclear weapons as "non-strategic nuclear weapons." Non-strategic nuclear weapons can be used on the battlefield and are less powerful than strategic nuclear weapons, which can level entire cities to the ground.
According to information from the U.S. Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, as of early 2020, Russia has approximately 6,370 strategic and non-strategic nuclear warheads.
Some analysts said that the Russian military may practice how to deploy non-strategic nuclear weapons during this exercise.
However, given the decentralized nature of Ukraine's military deployment, many analysts have expressed doubts about the role of non-strategic nuclear weapons in the war. Some organizations said this would be "a large-scale gamble with limited returns" for Russia.
The Russian Ministry of Defense emphasized that the exercise aims to maintain the combat readiness of personnel and equipment of non-strategic nuclear weapons combat forces and ensure Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
On the same day, the U.S. Department of Defense responded that Russia had made "irresponsible remarks," but so far, the U.S. has not seen any changes in Russia's deployment of its strategic nuclear forces.
Putin's order came exactly one day before his inauguration. On Thursday, Moscow will also hold its annual Victory Day Red Square military parade.
The Russian Defense Ministry also pointed out that the exercise was in response to threats issued by Western officials against Russia.
Since the beginning of this year, Western countries have made many provocative remarks and actions against Russia. Last month, the U.S. Senate also passed a long-stalled aid plan to Ukraine worth $61 billion.
On the other side, the Russian army's offensive, which has taken the initiative on the battlefield, continues unabated. Ahead of the expected offensive at the end of May, the Russian army has invested a large amount of resources in defense vulnerable points on Ukraine's eastern front and is advancing towards three important strongholds.
Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said that Western rhetoric about sending NATO soldiers to Ukraine has reached an "unprecedented" level and requires special attention and special measures.
In addition, from February to May this year, the US-led NATO held the "Resolute Defender" exercise, which was the largest NATO exercise held in Europe in decades. NATO has not said whether the rehearsal will include any nuclear elements.
In March this year, Putin warned the West that a direct conflict between Russia and NATO meant that the earth was "only one step away" from World War III. He first joked lightly that "everything is possible in the modern world," and then said Serious responded that "few people want this to happen."
