Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to conduct drills practicing the use of tactical nuclear weapons to “increase the readiness of nonstrategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions.”
This was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defence.
According to the statement, this drill is a response to “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation” as the West indulges escalation in Ukraine.
When saying “provocative statements and threats”, Kremlin means comments by the French President Emmanuel Macron on sending soldiers to Ukraine and the UK Foreign Minister David Cameron who didn’t reject the idea of Ukraine using the UK missiles to target Russian military facilities in the Russian rear.
Ukraine has already reacted to Russia’s announcement.
“We do not see here anything new, except for the information effect and statements… Nuclear blackmail is a constant practice of Putin’s regime,” Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said on the air of national TV.
Previously, Putin threatened the West that “Russia is ready for a nuclear war”.
Read also: Macron stands by his words regarding sending French troops to Ukraine