On Monday, one day ahead of the latest inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia's Defense Ministry announced plans for tactical nuclear weapons maneuvers close to the Ukrainian border in 'the near future.' The drills are to be carried out by missile units from the aerial defense's Southern Military District, with the participation of air and naval forces and the aim of 'increasing the readiness of nonstrategic nuclear forces,' the ministry said.
Western officials have criticized Russian leadership for making nuclear threats, as former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has openly threatened the use of nuclear weapons on several occasions, including in response to deliberations in the West over sending allied ground troops to Ukraine. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov also connected the planned nuclear exercises with statements by Western politicians, leading to a 'new round of escalating tensions.'
#tactical-nuclear-weapons #russian-defense-ministry #ukraine #escalating-tensions #western-criticism
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