Devendra Kumar
Russia has issued a stern warning to the West over its involvement in the war in Ukraine, threatening to strike British military facilities and hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons. The Russian Defence Ministry announced the drills, which will involve missile units, the air force, and the navy, in response to “provocative statements and threats of certain western officials regarding the Russian Federation”. The drills are a rare public announcement of tactical nuclear weapons exercises, and are aimed at increasing the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to fulfill combat tasks.
The move is seen as a warning to Ukraine’s Western allies, who have been providing weapons and support to Kyiv in its fight against Russian forces. Russia has been critical of comments made by senior Western officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron, who have expressed willingness to become more deeply involved in the conflict. Moscow has branded these comments as “dangerous” and has summoned the ambassadors of France and Britain to the Foreign Ministry.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to be inaugurated to a fifth term in office, and the drills are seen as a demonstration of Russia’s military might and a warning to the West. The move has been met with concern by Western officials, who are worried about the risks of nuclear escalation. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed concern about the rising levels of nuclear rhetoric, saying that “current nuclear risks are at an alarmingly high level” and that “all actions that could lead to miscalculation, escalation with catastrophic consequences, must be avoided”.
The situation on the ground in Ukraine remains tense, with Ukrainian drones hitting two vehicles in Russia’s Belgorod region, killing six people and injuring 35 others, including two children. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks by Ukraine on Russian soil, which has placed significant strain on relations between Moscow and the West. Germany has recalled its ambassador to Russia for consultations in Berlin after an alleged computer hack of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party, while Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom has described Russia’s actions as “irresponsible and reckless”.