📷 Image Credits: EurAsian Times
Russia recently announced that its forces have started the second round of drills to simulate the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons with Belarusian troops. These drills not only threaten Europe but also challenge the US with a formidable display of ‘nuke muscle.’ The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) released a video showcasing the exercises, featuring an Iskander missile system, Tu-22M3 bombers, and MiG-31 interceptors armed with Kinzhal missiles. This move by Russia comes in response to perceived provocative statements and threats from Western officials, which have escalated tensions significantly.
The exercises, which are part of a two-stage tactical nuclear drill initiated in May 2022, aim to ensure the readiness of personnel and equipment for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons by Russia and Belarus. These demonstrations are strategically positioned to assert the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the involved nations against external threats. Furthermore, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin emphasized that nuclear weapons were not necessary to secure victory in the conflict in Ukraine, highlighting a shift in the country’s nuclear doctrine. However, possible modifications to this doctrine remain a consideration.
Amidst growing concerns of nuclear brinksmanship, Russia’s conduct in Belarus raises alarm among Western allies. The US has reportedly prepared contingency plans in the event of a Russian nuclear attack. While there is no immediate nuclear threat perceived from Russia, the ongoing drills and posturing are closely monitored by international observers. The deployment of nuclear-capable aircraft, including Tu-95 strategic bombers and Tu-160 supersonic bombers, accentuates the gravity of the situation in Eastern Europe.
The recent display of Russian military might involving nuclear submarines, strategic bombers, and ballistic missiles in a simulated nuclear attack exercise adds another layer of complexity to the already tense situation. President Putin’s observation of the ‘Grom’ exercise underscores the significance of Moscow’s nuclear forces in its strategic calculations. As the world watches with bated breath, the nuclear dynamics between Russia and its adversaries continue to shape the geopolitical landscape in the region.
