On Monday, Russia announced that it would be conducting military exercises near Ukraine to practice the possible use of battlefield nuclear weapons. This move comes after two European leaders hinted at potential Western intervention in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The exercises are aimed at increasing the readiness of nonstrategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions. Such weapons, designed for battlefield use, have smaller warheads than strategic nuclear weapons intended for targeting cities. The announcement coincides with a week of significant events for Russian President Vladimir Putin, including his inauguration and the annual Victory Day celebration.
Russian officials stated that the decision to hold the military exercises was in response to recent comments from Western leaders regarding potential direct Western involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. The exercises are the most explicit warning to date of Russia potentially using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine during its invasion of more than two years. Western officials have long been concerned about Russia deploying such weapons, especially in the event of significant setbacks on the battlefield. President Putin has previously denied considering the use of tactical nuclear weapons, while emphasizing Russia’s vast nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against Western military support for Ukraine.
The Defense Ministry announced that the military exercises would be conducted by forces of the Southern Military District, which covers Russian-occupied Ukraine and part of Russia’s border region with Ukraine. It stated that the exercise is intended to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state in response to provocative statements and threats from Western officials. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron and British diplomat David Cameron as contributing to the escalation of tensions with the West, prompting the need for special measures.
Scholar Pavel Podvig, an expert on Russian nuclear forces, explained that Russia has previously conducted such exercises, though they are usually not publicized. However, in this instance, the intention is to send a clear message in response to specific statements from Western leaders. While nonstrategic nuclear weapons are not always in a state of combat readiness, they are stored separately from the delivery systems like bombers, missiles, or ships. During the exercises, Russian army formations are expected to practice how these weapons could be deployed. Podvig emphasized that using such weapons in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine would not make sense, as they are primarily meant to send a signal.
President Putin has not publicly commented on the military drills, with his fifth term inauguration scheduled for Tuesday. The exercises signal a new escalation of tensions between Russia and the West, particularly in response to Western officials refusing to rule out direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine would mark a significant escalation of the conflict, as they are typically intended for battlefield use rather than targeting cities. Russia’s decision to conduct the exercises openly and in response to specific statements from Western leaders underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential for further escalation in the region.
