Russia's First Tactical Nuclear Exercise Attracts Great Attention from the West

On the 21st, Russian soldiers conducted exercises on the use of non strategic nuclear weapons

Our reporter in Russia, Xiao Xinxin, Chen Kangliu, Yupeng

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 21st that the first phase of non strategic nuclear force exercises had begun in the southern Russian military region, according to President Putin's instructions. The Russian Defense Ministry said that the exercise was aimed at ensuring Russia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, "in response to the provocative remarks and threats made by some Western officials against Russia". Different from the "strategic nuclear weapons" that may lead to mutual destruction, the targets of non strategic nuclear weapons, that is, tactical nuclear weapons, are considered as important targets for the enemy on the battlefield. The Associated Press said that although Russia's strategic nuclear forces often held exercises, it was the first time to publicly announce the holding of tactical nuclear weapons exercises. This nuclear exercise, including tactical nuclear weapons, is clearly a clear warning to western countries that claim to be more involved in the Russian Ukrainian conflict.

"Counterattack Western Threats"

According to today's Russian television reported on the 22nd, the non strategic nuclear weapons exercise was carried out in three stages. The first stage of the exercise focused on acquiring special ammunition, equipping missiles and moving to the launch area. The air force of the Russian Air and Space Army participated in the exercise to load special warheads into airborne strike weapons, including the "Dagger" hypersonic missiles, and the relevant fighters carried bombs into the designated area. At the same time, the personnel of the missile force of the Southern Military Region carried out the task drill of "Iskandar" missile special ammunition receiving, loading and concealed entry into the launching position. The Russian Ministry of Defense also released the exercise video of using non strategic nuclear weapons. This video shows the participation of "Iskander" missile, "Dagger" hypersonic missile, Tu-22M3 bomber, MiG-31 fighter, etc. in the exercise.

"Responding to Western threats: Russia began to hold tactical nuclear weapons exercises", the Russian newspaper reported that the Russian Foreign Ministry said on the 21st: "We hope this exercise can calm the minds of Western countries. This helps them to realize the possible disastrous consequences of the strategic risks they have caused, and prevent them from supporting the terrorist actions of the Kiev regime and getting involved in the direct armed confrontation with Russia. This refers to openly and directly assisting Kiev in its terrorist actions against Russia. Since the deliberate target of such operations is often a civilian target, this has led to many civilian casualties. " In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry also talked about the possibility of Western F-16 fighters in the Ukrainian battlefield. The Russian side warned that Moscow regarded the move of the United States and NATO as a deliberate provocation and regarded the aircraft as a nuclear weapon delivery vehicle.

Tactical nuclear weapons are more deterrent

Russia's non strategic nuclear weapon exercise immediately aroused great concern in the West. The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France Presse, French 24-hour television, the British Guardian and other media have analyzed the exercise. The Associated Press said that non strategic nuclear weapons are often referred to as tactical nuclear weapons, which are mainly aimed at limited and more direct military objectives. Generally speaking, strategic nuclear weapons are mainly equipped with large intercontinental missiles that can fly thousands of kilometers and attack trans ocean targets. They serve national strategic deterrence against important strategic targets such as distant cities and military bases. In contrast, tactical nuclear weapons are relatively small in size, scope of attack, explosive yield and power. They are generally used to directly support battlefield military operations and form a rapid and powerful attack on tactical targets such as the enemy's front forces, armor clusters and command centers. According to the report, unlike strategic nuclear weapons, which are subject to the arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, the United States and Russia have not reached an agreement on tactical nuclear weapons, and Russia has not announced the number of tactical nuclear weapons or the conditions for the use of tactical nuclear weapons.

The intercontinental missile launchers exhibited by Russia in 2022 are generally equipped with "strategic nuclear warheads"

Reuters said on the 22nd that this non strategic nuclear weapon exercise was aimed at the remarks made by British Foreign Secretary Cameron about Ukraine's "right to use western weapons to attack Russian territory" and French President Makron about sending French and NATO soldiers to the battlefield in Ukraine. The report quoted nuclear weapons experts as saying that the exercise was a warning issued by Putin to prevent the West from becoming more involved in the Ukrainian war.

Agence France Presse said the drill was held in the southern Russian military region, which is the command center for the attack on Ukraine. Its headquarters is located in Rostov on the Don River, 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The military region also has jurisdiction over the Crimea Peninsula and "the four Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia".

Russia's Tsargrad news network said that this exercise may be the first time in decades that Russia publicly involves non strategic nuclear weapons. Strategic nuclear weapons are generally not easy to use, so tactical nuclear weapons are relatively more deterrent in battlefield combat. The exercise was a provocation to the West's escalation of confrontation and a clear warning to the Uzbek authorities. With the Russian army opening up a new front in the direction of Kharkov, the pressure of the Ukrainian army has increased sharply. While constantly demanding more direct intervention from the West, the Ukrainian army's attack on targets in Russia has also shown an extreme trend. Some western politicians also frequently made provocative remarks to Russia, trying to further intervene and escalate the conflict. In view of the fact that the West may send troops directly to Ukraine in the future, and allow Ukraine to use Western weapons to attack Russian local targets and other behaviors that break the bottom line, the Russian exercise is not only an "auxiliary attack" for the current offensive of the Russian army, but also a further reminder of the dangerous consequences of the Uzbek authorities and the West crossing the line.

"Very important signal"

In recent days, some western politicians are still talking about "attacking Russian territory" or "disintegrating Russia". In an interview with US media on the 20th, former Deputy Secretary of State Newland of the United States claimed that Ukraine needs to "obtain permission to use American weapons without restrictions, and the United States must allow Ukraine to use its weapons to attack military bases in Russia". The Estonian Prime Minister Kaya Karas recently declared at an event in his country that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine "must end with the failure and disintegration of Russia". She said, "The Russian Federation is composed of many different countries. After the end of the Russian Ukrainian conflict, these countries should become independent countries."

The picture shows former Deputy Secretary of State Newland of the United States, who said that the United States must allow Ukraine to use its weapons to attack military bases in Russia

Earlier, French President Makron's statement that French and NATO troops would be sent to Ukraine caused great controversy in Europe. "If France directly participates in the conflict in Ukraine, it will increase the risk of conflict between the two nuclear powers." Studennikov, Director of the First European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned on the 22nd that "France's move will inevitably lead to unpredictable consequences." He also questioned: "Are the French really ready to die for the interests of Ukraine's neo Nazi regime? How will the French government explain to the families of soldiers killed in battle? We hope that even if the French ruling elite does not have healthy thinking ability, at least the instinct of self-protection should prevail. "

On the 22nd, Russian satellite news agency quoted Klinszevich, director of the Russian Military and Political Conflict Research Center, as saying: "We sent a very important signal to the West, and we advised them not to go any further. We drew a red line for them. Our combat forces can now use non strategic nuclear weapons on various vehicles, which indicates the possibility of using them in the air and on the ground in a certain area. That is to say, our tactical nuclear weapons have entered the combat duty and have been upgraded to the highest operational level. "