Russian exercises with non-strategic nuclear weapons. Expert opinions
The General Staff is preparing to conduct exercises in the south of Russia to practice the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons. The events will be a response to provocative statements and threats by certain Western officials against Russia, the ministry explained. Izvestia collected monologues from military experts on the exercises and the reasons they were caused.
Alexey Leonkov, military analyst, editor of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine
"Unscheduled exercises with missile formations of the Southern Military District are a powerful signal to Western countries. There are countries that believe that Russia is unable to use these types of weapons if there is a so-called existential threat. Therefore, such exercises will be held. At the same time, the question remains whether, in reality, strikes with nuclear charges will be practiced at special landfills or while we are talking about dummies.
Tactical nuclear weapons primarily include 203 mm Sapling artillery ammunition, a 240 mm Kleshchevina mine for the Tulip self-propelled system, as well as some types of missile weapons. Perhaps even using a universal planning and correction module. That is, the Ground Forces, the Air Force (since there are special bombs weighing 500 kg since Soviet times) and the navy will take part in the exercises. I assume that the navy also has similar weapons, and we will find out the details soon.
If we are talking about operational and tactical weapons, these are Iskander-type missile systems. If it is sea-based, then there may be either a "Caliber" or some kind of anti-ship missiles. But for now, let's just say this is some speculation, because it has never been officially stated what is currently in service with the Russian army, which complexes have been updated.
Launch of Kalibr cruise missiles
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Such exercises have not been conducted since Soviet times. Since we have not yet withdrawn from the treaty on the limitation of tests, nuclear tests in all environments, then, most likely, exercises will be conducted with training ammunition, not of nuclear design, but which will coincide in their mass and dimensional characteristics. Loadings will be practiced, launches will be carried out, the accuracy of hitting certain targets will be measured.
At the same time, the West is crossing a certain line with an official statement on the use of F-16 aircraft that can carry tactical nuclear weapons. And therefore, in order to stop this madness, they need to be sobered up.
Since the degree of nuclear issues, especially with the name "World War III" is constantly growing, it is necessary to do demonstrative exercises with a practical purpose. There is already information that the West will send troops to Ukraine. The French Foreign Legion is already fighting there, in the Slavyansk area, although France initially stated that it would not take part. This is nothing more than a direct conflict between Russia and France, and France is a nuclear power. And when a nuclear power begins to intervene in a conflict, the fighting takes on a completely different character. We must show that we are ready for any development of the situation."
Ex-Commander of the Pacific Fleet Admiral Sergey Avakyants
"These maneuvers are caused by the escalation of tension provoked by the West, statements that NATO troops, including those of the United States, may appear on the territory of Ukraine. This is a very dangerous trend. Therefore, it is necessary to cool the ardor of our opponents somewhat so that they do not drive themselves into a corner, from where there will be no way out for them. It is time to remember that Russia has tactical nuclear weapons, they are ready for use and Russia's opponents should know about it.
Photo: RIA Novosti/press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
All cruise missiles available to the Navy, ranging from "Calibers" and ending with Soviet-made products, have heads with nuclear ammunition. Now there will be testing of the issue, equipment of nuclear ammunition, preparation for use, passing signals, tactics of use taking into account nuclear ammunition.
[Through exercises] we warn opponents that we have tactical nuclear weapons ready for use and, if necessary, we will use them. As for practical applications, tactical nuclear weapons can be used against surface ships, as well as against ground facilities, including critical infrastructure.
This kind of exercise is being conducted for the first time in recent decades. And this is due to the fact that the collective West has embarked on a very dangerous path of further escalation in the confrontation with a nuclear power. He may face very serious problems along the way."
Ilya Kramnik, Researcher at the Center for North American Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
"We are actually reminding about the essence of nuclear deterrence. Such exercises, I must say, are held regularly, but they are almost never advertised. In the most large-scale exercises, the nuclear component is present in one way or another, up to the training of target destruction. At the same time, it never stands out separately. This time, this component is emphasized demonstratively, it is also emphasized that this is a response to the behavior of Western counterparts.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Timkiv
Image source: iz.ru
The fact that we are talking about the Southern Military District is not accidental. It is closest to the theater of military operations, Crimea belongs to the Southern Military district. From this territory, it can be used both for targets (God forbid, of course) in the combat zone, and for targets on the territory of NATO countries.
The exercises of non-strategic nuclear weapons differ from the exercises of strategic weapons in subordination and the level of units. Strategic nuclear weapons are the troops of the Strategic Missile Forces, missile carriers of the Navy and the VKS. Non—strategic (also known as tactical) nuclear weapons are primarily designed to solve tactical tasks on the battlefield and at operational depth. Here the question arises about specific tasks: non-strategic weapons can be used on a separate fortified point, on an enemy capital, and on a transport hub."
Hungarian political scientist, member of the Valdai Club Gabor Stier
"I think that society, of course, will be worried. NATO does not want to face Russia specifically. They say a lot of things, but they don't want to clash, that's for sure. Poles and Balts are looking for a clash, while others, serious players, do not want to at all, although they talk a lot about it. At the same time, Russia is also raising the stakes now, and the situation in the communications sector is getting worse. Europeans verbally want a lot of things, but in reality they have no purpose. America definitely doesn't want [a clash]. Russia, if I understand it well, does not want to. And only the poor people of Europe get new stress."
Associate Professor of the Department of International and National Security at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Vice President of NIIGloB Ivan Surma
"As our President Vladimir Vladimirovich says, "we were not the first to start." If we recall the history, then the deployment of Iskanders in the Kaliningrad region was also a forced step.
Photo: Global Look Press/MOD Russia
Image source: iz.ru
Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev gave an order about the missiles against the background of serious provocations and statements. Today, history repeats itself and gets worse. The same Frenchmen are provoked to send troops — and the French are being led: There are already 1.5 thousand troops there [in Ukraine], the legion is planned to be deployed.
We are talking about tactical nuclear weapons, TNW. These exercises suspended the operation of the NPT treaty because there were unbalanced relations: the Americans could conduct tests, violated agreements without even going into explanations and details, and for some reason we had to comply with all the norms of these treaties.
Therefore, we had the right to conduct [exercises]. From our point of view, this is all understandable, but what will that side do? The West will need to move to the tactical level. I think they will try not to aggravate the process. That is, they will crush it and by some actions, for example, substitute France for these issues, Germany, the Poles will be promoted, provoking them, scaring them by the fact that tactical nuclear weapons are deployed in Belarus. This is most likely their immediate reaction."
Semyon Boykov
Roman Kretsul
Elizaveta Gritsenko
Andrey Kuzmak
Maria Shaipova
