An unconditional signal: what do the exercises of non-strategic nuclear forces mean

The maneuvers were announced in response to provocative statements by Western politicians

The exercises of non-strategic nuclear forces, which will involve the missile forces of the Southern Military District, aviation and the Navy, will be a response to aggressive statements and threats from Western politicians. The purpose of the maneuvers announced on behalf of the president is to maintain the readiness of personnel and equipment and unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state. Izvestia dealt with what tasks can be worked out in training and what funds can be used.

Cool down the hotheads

The exercises of the Russian Defense Ministry to practice the use of non—strategic nuclear weapons are a warning to Western politicians, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"We hope that this event will cool down the "hotheads" in Western capitals, help them realize the possible catastrophic consequences of the strategic risks they generate and keep them from both assisting the Kiev regime in its terrorist actions and from being drawn into a direct armed confrontation with Russia," the ministry noted.

Earlier on Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the exercises were being held in response to "provocative statements and threats by certain Western officials against the Russian Federation." During the maneuvers, a set of measures will be carried out to practice the issues of preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons.

The Iskander-M tactical missile system is moving to the missile launch site during the exercises

Image source: Photo: Global Look Press/MOD Russia

Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the upcoming nuclear exercises, said that the West is provoking an unprecedented round of tension in Ukraine, which requires retaliatory measures from Russia.

"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," Admiral Sergei Avakyants, ex—commander of the Pacific Fleet, commented to Izvestia. Therefore, it is necessary to cool the ardor of these opponents of ours somewhat so that they do not drive themselves into a corner, from where there will be no way out for them.

According to the admiral, it is time to remember that Russia has tactical nuclear weapons, they are ready for use and Russia's opponents should know about this.

Loading containers with missiles on the Iskander-M tactical missile system during the exercises

Image source: Photo: Global Look Press/MOD Russia

"They must be informed and warned in advance, in accordance with the good will of Russia," he said.

Alexey Leonkov, a military analyst and editor of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, believes that the upcoming exercises will be a signal to countries that believe that Russia is unable to use tactical nuclear weapons.

"Since the risks of World War III are constantly growing, it is necessary to do, on the one hand, demonstrative exercises, and on the other hand, actions with a practical purpose," the expert told Izvestia. — The West is constantly talking about the readiness to send its troops to Ukraine. Information has already appeared that the French Foreign Legion is on its territory and is taking part in hostilities in the Slavyansk area. This is nothing more than a direct conflict between France and Russia. At the same time, France is a nuclear power. To keep the mad French President Emmanuel Macron from taking further steps, it is necessary to show that the Russian Federation is ready for any development of events.

Iskander-M tactical missile system in combat position

Image source: Photo: Global Look Press/MOD Russia

However, according to Gabor Stier, a Hungarian political scientist and member of the Valdai Club, Western countries will try to avoid direct conflict with the Russian Federation.

"They say a lot of things, but they don't want a direct conflict, that's for sure," he told Izvestia. "Maybe only Poles, Baltics, but others don't want to at all," he explained. — Russia is also raising the stakes in the communications sphere now, this is exacerbating the situation, but I think that the participants in this game do not want a serious escalation.

Threats from the West

In early May, The Economist published an interview in which French President Emmanuel Macron said that he did not retract his words about the possible sending of troops to Ukraine. At the same time, the French leader noted that for this to happen, the front must first collapse and a request for troops from Kiev must be received. He also added that many countries have already understood France's approach and "agreed with our position."

In addition, the Asia Times reported that France has already sent the first 100 soldiers of its Foreign Legion to Ukraine, who were deployed to support the 54th Ukrainian separate mechanized brigade in Slavyansk. According to former Assistant Deputy Minister of the United States Stephen Brian, up to 1.5 thousand fighters will arrive in the country.

Leopard-2 tanks of the Bundeswehr force a water barrier during the NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 2024 in Germany

Image source: Photo: TASS/EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

At the same time, the NATO military exercises Steadfast Defender 2024, which began in February, are continuing in Europe. The Western media notes that the largest maneuvers of the alliance in recent decades are aimed at preparing for a possible conflict with Russia. They involve about 50 ships, 80 aircraft and 1.1 thousand units of military ground equipment, including 133 tanks and about 90 thousand military personnel. Geographically, the exercises take place on the territory of the Baltic states, as well as Poland and Germany.

Reuters also published a statement by British Foreign Minister David Cameron, in which the British minister declared Ukraine's right to strike with British weapons at targets inside Russia. Cameron added that he does not support sending NATO troops to Ukraine, as this could lead to an escalation of the conflict. "I would not send NATO soldiers to the country, as it would be a dangerous escalation. This is also not necessary. To date, we have trained more than 60 thousand Ukrainian soldiers," Cameron said. "I think it would be wrong if NATO soldiers killed Russian soldiers."

The crew of the American Abrams tank at the NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 2024 in Korzhenevo, in northern Poland

Image source: Photo: TASS/ABACA

On Monday, British Ambassador Nigel Casey was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The Russian Foreign Ministry explained that this happened because of David Cameron's statements about Ukraine's right to strike at Russia using British weapons. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the ambassador was warned that any British military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and abroad could become a response to Ukrainian strikes using British weapons on the territory of Russia.

The Ambassador was harshly pointed out that Cameron's hostile attack contradicts the assurances of the British side when handing over long-range cruise missiles to the Kiev regime that they would not be used on Russian territory. "The Ambassador was told that the Russian side considers D. Cameron's words as evidence of a serious escalation and confirmation of London's increasing involvement in military operations on the side of Kiev," the ministry noted.

Check combat readiness

Since Soviet times, Russia has accumulated an impressive arsenal of tactical warheads that can be used both from ground-based launchers and from aircraft and ships. Military expert Dmitry Kornev explained to Izvestia that the main non—strategic missile system with nuclear weapons is the Iskander-M missile systems.

— They are part of the missile brigades of the ground forces, — he said. — We also have bombs with nuclear warheads in service, which can be used by front-line aircraft, namely Su-24M, Su-34. Next, we have shells for large—caliber artillery - "Peony", a self-propelled artillery installation of 203 mm caliber. In addition, our fleet is armed with Kalibr missile systems, which can use a nuclear warhead.

As for the fleet, as Sergey Avakyants explained to Izvestia, all cruise missiles that the Navy has, starting 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, — said the ex-commander of the Pacific Fleet.

The Admiral noted that 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. Very serious problems may await him on this path," Sergey Avakyants stressed.

Tactical nuclear weapons in Russia are not stored in the positions of combat units, they are in the arsenals of the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. This was reported to Izvestia by military expert Dmitry Boltenkov.

Front-line fighter-bomber Su-34 during takeoff

Image source: Photo: Global Look Press/MOD Russia

"There are shells in the south, in Novorossiysk. Now the weapons will be delivered to warships — this is the Kalibr missile — to Bastion coastal missile systems, submarines and small missile ships," the expert said.

Boltenkov added that the Russian military conducts such exercises periodically, and this time they decided to officially declare them.

Dmitry Kornev noted that we do not know the details of the exercises, but the use of nuclear weapons is associated with a large number of restrictions.

Su-24M front-line bomber during aerial refueling

Image source: Photo: Global Look Press/MOD Russia

"Some brigade commander, battery commander, cannot use a nuclear missile or an Iskander missile equipped with a nuclear warhead at his own request," the expert explained. "It cannot even physically launch without permission from the Supreme Commander. Special communication equipment is used to bring this permission. You need to be able to work with this equipment, so you need to train. Farther. The Iskander missile has interchangeable warheads. They are changed in special teams, you also need to be able to do this. These nuclear munitions are brought by specialists from the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, which is responsible for storing special combat units. It is necessary not only to bring them to the missile brigade, but also to install them.

As Dmitry Kornev said, one of the options for aviation exercises is with mock—ups of atomic bombs. You can fly with them, you can drop them from airplanes and they are one-on-one in their technical parameters similar to real atomic bombs.

Bastion coastal missile systems during training on launching a missile attack on ships of a simulated enemy

Image source: Photo: Global Look Press/MOD Russia

The expert also noted that such exercises should not be conducted in a country that has a nuclear munition in service.

— 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 weight and size characteristics. Loadings will be practiced, launches will be carried out, the accuracy of hitting certain targets will be measured," Alexey Leonkov noted.

He also stressed that the West's official statement on the use of F-16 aircraft, which can carry tactical nuclear weapons, crosses a certain line. And therefore, in order to stop this, "they need to be sobered up."

Roman Kretsul

Julia Leonova