In a move that has heightened international concerns, Russia conducted a series of nuclear drills on Tuesday under the direct supervision of President Vladimir Putin. These exercises come at a time when Putin has been vocal about potential changes to Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, including the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a “training exercise was conducted with the forces and means of the land, maritime and aviation components of the strategic deterrent force.” This involved the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a test site in the far-eastern Kamchatka peninsula, as well as missiles launched from a submarine in the Barents Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. The ministry declared that the drills were successful and that the missiles had “reached their targets.”
Footage of a missile launch at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Russian Far North was published by the TASS news agency.
These actions follow Putin’s recent statements suggesting a possible expansion of Russia’s nuclear criteria. In September, he proposed amendments to Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, allowing for a nuclear response to a “massive” air attack. Notably, he suggested that Russia would view any attack from a non-nuclear country supported by a nuclear power as a joint assault, implicitly targeting Ukraine.
The timing of these drills is significant as Ukraine seeks approval to use long-range missiles against Russia. However, the U.S. has so far been hesitant to grant this request.
As the conflict in Ukraine enters what Russian officials describe as its most perilous phase, the West is carefully assessing how to provide support to Ukraine while Russian forces advance in the eastern region of the country.
Putin has repeatedly asserted that the use of nuclear weapons would be an “extremely exceptional measure.” He has emphasized that Russia is not seeking to engage in a new arms race, but will maintain its nuclear forces at a level of “necessary sufficiency.” He has also highlighted Russia’s shift to new “stationary and mobile-based missile systems” designed for quicker launch preparation and the ability to evade missile defense systems.
The recent nuclear drills and Putin’s statements regarding Russia’s nuclear posture have raised considerable concern around the world. While he has stated that Russia does not need to resort to nuclear weapons to secure victory in Ukraine, his actions and pronouncements have undeniably heightened the risk of nuclear escalation. The international community remains watchful as tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
