On May 6, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, utilized his official communication platform to disclose critical information concerning Russia’s nuclear activities. He announced that the General Staff is presently engaged in preparatory measures for a military exercise, focusing on the mobilization and deployment of non-strategic nuclear assets. This significant announcement coincided with a similar disclosure made by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov precisely at 0500 Eastern Standard Time.
Peskov contextualized these exercises within the backdrop of recent statements from Western nations regarding their willingness to potentially deploy troops to Ukraine. He cautioned against the perceived dangers inherent in such declarations, highlighting the unprecedented escalation of tensions and advocating for heightened vigilance and extraordinary precautions.
Medvedev, in his remarks, likened certain entities within the US Congress, as well as the administrations of France and Britain, alongside what he referred to as “irresponsible elements” in Baltic states and Poland, to a collective “choir of irresponsible scoundrels.” He advocated for the redeployment of missile assets previously stationed in Ukraine to cover the entirety of Russia’s borders.
Furthermore, Medvedev attributed these actions to a calculated pursuit of political advantage, citing what he perceives as a decline in rational decision-making among Western elites. He emphasized the potential global ramifications of their actions, drawing parallels to the Cuban Missile Crisis of the past while criticizing contemporary Western leaders for lacking the sagacity of their Cold War predecessors such as Kennedy and Khrushchev.
In a related development, reports from the Russian press suggest that the British Ambassador to Russia has been summoned to the Foreign Office. However, neither the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) nor the Russian Foreign Ministry have confirmed this allegation.
The summoning of the ambassador coincided with President Macron of France’s remarks suggesting the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine upon its request. Additionally, there were indications that the UK might deliver long-range weapons, with seemingly little concern for their utilization within the depths of Russian territory.
The ongoing military exercises, particularly if they involve tactical nuclear assets within the Southern Military District, hold significant implications. This is especially pertinent given Ukraine’s active engagements in the Rostov Oblast and beyond. Should these weapons be moved to air bases or frontline installations, the risks of escalation and misjudgment are markedly heightened.
A military drill aimed at readying and deploying non-strategic nuclear weaponry, also termed tactical nuclear arms, entails several phases. Initial planning determines targets, weapon types, and delivery methods. Physical preparation follows, including assembly, testing, and loading onto delivery platforms. Subsequent stages involve execution, analysis, and post-operation debriefing to refine future capabilities.
Russia maintains a diverse inventory of non-strategic nuclear arms, including nuclear depth charges and torpedoes for underwater warfare, as well as artillery shells and land mines for ground-based engagements. Air-to-surface missiles serve versatile roles, targeting enemy defenses, infrastructure, and troop concentrations. Short-range ballistic missiles, like the Iskander-M, round out the arsenal, designed for precision strikes against specific enemy assets.
