For the first time since the 2022 invasion, Russia wants to carry out tactical nuclear weapons exercises near the Ukrainian border. But experts don't think an attack is imminent. It's more about political messaging.
Russia began the tactical nuclear weapons maneuvers announced at the beginning of May. The first phase of the exercise, taking place in the south of the country near the border to Ukraine, includes the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, the Russian Defense Ministry announced Tuesday. Such exercises are taking place for the first time since .
The Russian Ministry of Defense first announced the maneuvers on May 6, one day before . The maneuvers will be carried out by air defense and naval missile units. The stated aim is to "increase the readiness of the non-strategic nuclear forces.
" That area spans not just accepted Russian territory but also , which was illegally annexed in 2014, and four Ukrainian regions in the southeast that have been partially occupied by Russia. Nuclear threats from Moscow, criticism in the West Western officials have repeatedly criticized Russian leadership for making nuclear threats. has not openly threatened a nuclear strike, though he has warned the West of the possibility of nuclear war in the event of direct confrontation.
On the other hand, , a former Russian president and deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, has openly threatened the use of nuclear weapons on several occasions, including once again on Mond.
