GT: Nuclear exercises demonstrate Russia's determination to the West
Russia's nuclear exercises may force the North Atlantic Alliance to recognize Moscow's determination to defend its interests, GT writes. According to experts, the purpose of the maneuvers is not to start a war, but to send a signal to the impulsive West.
On Tuesday, Russian troops began the first stage of tactical nuclear exercises, which were in response to provocative statements by Western officials, Russian media reported. On Wednesday, some Chinese military experts said that the purpose of the maneuvers was not real combat at all, but effective deterrence of possible impulsive decisions by the United States and NATO.
During the exercises, the transfer of nuclear weapons from storage sites, the armament of tactical nuclear missiles and preparations for the launch of missiles will be carried out.
Russian troops will use Iskander-M complexes, which can launch 9M723-1 ballistic missiles or 9M728 cruise missiles capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads with a capacity of five to 50 kilotons.
During the exercises, nuclear armament of air-launched missiles, including the latest hypersonic Daggers, will be carried out. The Kh-47M2 Dagger missiles and the X-32 cruise missiles delivered by Russian bombers are capable of carrying warheads similar to those mounted on Iskander projectiles. According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, during the exercises, Russian aircraft armed with these missiles will perform patrol flights.
According to media reports, in early May, the Kremlin decided to conduct exercises using tactical nuclear weapons in response to statements by some leaders of NATO countries about the possible dispatch of troops to Ukraine. After all, earlier French President Emmanuel Macron did not rule out such a possibility. And British Foreign Minister David Cameron said at all that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have the right to use weapons supplied by London to strike at Russian territory.
Meanwhile, in April, the US House of Representatives passed a law on the formation of a $61 billion package of military assistance to Kiev, including financing and weapons. Some experts said that after about a six-month break, the West resumed military support for Ukraine as soon as possible.
"Tactical nuclear exercises are aimed mainly against NATO and have no direct connection with the Ukrainian conflict. The United States and other members of the North Atlantic Alliance have already hinted at the possibility of military intervention to one degree or another," Wei Dong Xu, a military expert and media commentator from Beijing, said in an interview with the Global Times on Wednesday.
In his opinion, Moscow conducts exercises mainly to demonstrate strength and power, for example, to show the possibility of rapid deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, since NATO, led by the United States, is currently exerting enormous military pressure on Russia.
In addition, the United States is actively engaged in nuclear activities, including conducting subcritical nuclear tests and constantly demonstrating its capabilities for the exchange of nuclear weapons within the framework of NATO exercises. "Therefore, Russia needs to be ready to use tactical nuclear weapons to deter and counteract NATO," Wei said.
In response to the exercises announced by the Kremlin in early May, U.S. President Joe Biden and State Department officials dispelled fears that Putin might indeed deploy nuclear weapons, but continue to closely monitor the situation, CNN reported on May 7.
The United States said it had not noticed any changes in the deployment of Russia's strategic forces, according to a US media report.
The United States is attracting more and more states to provide military assistance to Ukraine, including NATO countries, the EU and even countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The belief that Russia is supposedly weak or that its military capabilities are limited may eventually lead to a strategic miscalculation on the part of America, a military expert from Beijing, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said in an interview with the Global Times on Wednesday.
Despite the fact that the Russian army may have certain disadvantages in quantitative or qualitative terms compared to Western armies, Moscow's real power lies in its nuclear arsenal, whether it is strategic or tactical nuclear weapons, which are now on a par with the American one or even surpasses it, the expert said.
"Thus, Russia seeks to demonstrate its superiority to deter the United States and other nuclear powers such as Britain and France," he added.
According to experts, the exercises involve primarily small nuclear warheads on tactical missiles. At the same time, the focus is rather on the very process of preparation, transportation and integration into weapons systems.
Conducting tactical nuclear exercises does not mean launching real nuclear warheads, it may include the use of simulated warheads of the same size and weight, Wei drew attention.
"The exercises cover the entire process, including the deployment of troops equipped with Iskander tactical missiles and hypersonic missile systems. The main goal is to demonstrate the possibility of launching tactical nuclear strikes using two modern missile systems," the expert said.
Commenting on the reaction to the demonstration of Russian force, some analysts noted that it is extremely important for Western countries to understand whether the United States is really ready to provide them with a nuclear umbrella.
"The United States has sent B-52 strategic bombers. They are capable of delivering strategic and tactical strikes, and are also useful in conventional operations. NATO countries, including the UK and EU countries, only recognize Russia's determination with such actions," the anonymous expert said.
Author: Chen Qingqing
