Amid the relentless conflict in Ukraine, Russia’s recent nuclear drills on its own territory have raised questions about Putin’s potential nuclear threats due to setbacks on the battlefield. However, the reality is that these drills are part of Russia’s annual exercises to practice its strategic nuclear forces, with a tenuous connection to the Ukraine conflict at best. The New Start treaty ensured that the USA was forewarned about the ballistic missile and air-launched ordnance tests, maintaining compliance with current arms control obligations.
Nevertheless, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu took the opportunity to deliver a propaganda message on TV, stating that the exercise aimed to practice a “massive nuclear strike by the strategic nuclear forces in retaliation for the enemy’s nuclear strike.” This rhetoric did not include any acknowledgment of the potential for a pre-emptive media strike by Russia.
Russia’s National Defence magazine joined in the propaganda, with the editor suggesting that if Russia had to retaliate against a first strike from the USA and its nuclear-armed NATO allies, Britain would be submerged beneath the Atlantic Ocean, and a new naval strait named after Joseph Stalin would replace the United States. The French, apparently, would escape such dire consequences.
In another development, Russia threatened to shoot down western-owned commercial and military satellites, accusing them of providing critical information to aid Ukraine’s war effort. Western intelligence-gathering assets, including satellites, human intelligence (HUMINT), and airborne platforms, have played a crucial role in the success of the Ukrainian armed forces against the Russian invasion.
While Russia possesses the capability to shoot down satellites, the presence of American “space-based weapons” could complicate such attempts. The ongoing geopolitical tensions are evident, with both Russia and NATO engaging in nuclear response drills. NATO’s Exercise Steadfast Noon, hosted at the Kleine Brogel Air Base in Belgium, involves over 60 aircraft from 14 countries, with a clear statement from NATO that it is a routine and recurring training activity unrelated to current world events.
The analysis suggests a level playing field between Russia and NATO in terms of nuclear response drills, seemingly disconnected from the war in Ukraine. However, the article points out that Russia’s strategic messaging may involve obfuscation and plausible declarations to maintain a narrative amid their apparent setbacks in Ukraine. As the conflict unfolds, Putin’s aspirations for expansion may be facing increasing resistance from the West, challenging his ability to bully NATO into submission.
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Putin to unleash secret space weapons if US uses nukes Ukraine.