Russia and Belarus have initiated the second stage of tactical nuclear weapons drills, a move Moscow describes as a response to “daily provocations” from the United States and its European allies. The drills, which started on June 12, 2024, aim to deter Western countries from increasing their support for Ukraine.
The exercises follow a series of escalating tensions between Russia and the West, particularly after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested he might consider deploying troops to Ukraine under certain conditions. Additionally, the United States and some NATO allies have indicated that Kyiv is permitted to use Western-supplied weapons to target areas within Russia’s borders.
Last month, the first stage of these drills focused on preparing for nuclear missions and the processes involved in arming and deploying missiles. The current phase involves joint training for Russian and Belarusian troops, concentrating on non-strategic nuclear weapons used in combat. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the exercises are designed to ensure the readiness of personnel and equipment, thereby maintaining the “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the Russia-Belarus alliance.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the importance of these drills, citing the “quite tense” situation in Europe and the need for combat readiness in light of the “hostile decisions and actions” by the US and its allies. He referred to the “daily provocations” that justify such military preparedness.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia could resort to nuclear weapons to defend itself in extreme situations. This stance has been a recurring theme in Russia’s military strategy and rhetoric.
In a significant move last year, Russia transferred some of its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, a country that shares borders with Ukraine and NATO members Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has strong ties with Russia, has allowed his country to be used as a staging ground for the war in Ukraine.
Tactical nuclear weapons, such as air bombs, warheads for short-range missiles, and artillery munitions, are intended for use on the battlefield. These weapons are generally less powerful than strategic nuclear weapons, which are designed to destroy entire cities and are carried by intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Despite their smaller size, Russian tactical nuclear weapons are significantly more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped by the United States on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Putin has pointed out this fact to highlight the destructive potential of Russia’s battlefield nuclear arsenal.
Recently, Putin reiterated that the West should not assume that Russia would refrain from using its nuclear weapons. He asserted that Russia’s nuclear doctrine permits the use of such weapons if the existence of the Russian state is threatened.
While US officials have noted no change in Russia’s strategic posture, senior intelligence officials stress the need to take Moscow’s nuclear threats seriously. Given that Russia and the United States possess about 88 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons, according to the Federation of American Scientists, any escalation in nuclear rhetoric or activity is a matter of global concern.
The drills conducted by Russia and Belarus are not just about military readiness but also serve as a geopolitical signal. They underscore the complex dynamics of international relations, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader tensions between Russia and the West.
In conclusion, the second phase of the tactical nuclear weapons drills by Russia and Belarus highlights the heightened state of alert and preparation by both countries. These exercises are a clear response to the perceived threats and provocations from the US and its European allies. As the drills continue, the international community remains watchful, aware of the significant implications of any changes in the nuclear postures of the world’s leading nuclear powers.
