TSAMTO, May 16. Russia, in response to the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, should amend the military doctrine clarifying the conditions for the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to possible aggression, as well as equip the Kalibras and Iskanders in the western direction with nuclear warheads.
This was stated by the director of TSAMTO Igor Korotchenko in an interview with RIA Novosti.
According to him, when Finland and Sweden join NATO under the accelerated procedure, by the summer the armed forces of these countries will be fully integrated into the military structure of the North Atlantic Alliance. In the event of an aggravation of the situation in the European theater of military operations, at any time on the territory of these countries, the deployment of strike groups of the united armed forces of NATO may occur or other actions that critically affect the national security of Russia may be taken. It is extremely important for Moscow to quickly neutralize these and other threats, while creating a deterrent potential in the form of new brigades, divisions, and strengthening the air defense system, especially to cover the long border with Finland, will require significant financial resources and a lot of time.
"Only the arrival in 2022 of tactical nuclear weapons in the troops of the Western Military District and the Baltic Fleet will be able to quickly eliminate the disparity that exists today, and which will increase even more when comparing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and NATO countries with its new members, who significantly outnumber us both in terms of personnel and number weapons and military equipment. We need to be pragmatic and change the Russian military doctrine – the bet on tactical nuclear weapons should become the basis for deterring NATO's aggressive aspirations," I. Korotchenko said.
In his opinion, it is also necessary to start developing a land-based version of the mobile complex with Kalibr cruise missiles with subsequent basing in the north-western regions of the country.
Already today, the Russian Security Council should begin working out possible retaliatory steps.
"The conditions should be clearly described under which, in response to aggressive actions or an attack on the Russian Federation, we will launch retaliatory tactical nuclear strikes on military facilities and on NATO's military infrastructure, under what conditions this can be done, how the relevant procedures will be carried out – a doctrinal review of all these issues is necessary. The relevant work should be carried out under the leadership of the Russian Security Council and begin immediately now, since the issue is about the security of our country," I. Korotchenko stressed.
