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BULGARIAN MILITARY
On Wednesday, July 31, Moscow announced the initiation of deploying nonstrategic nuclear weapons alongside the commencement of the third phase of the Russian Federation’s nuclear drills. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, this stage encompasses the preparation for the combat distribution of the nuclear arsenal.
This May, Moscow deployed its 2024 non-strategic nuclear arsenal for the first time during a major military exercise. The initial phase assessed the preparation and readiness for nuclear weapon use, while the second phase, conducted last month, involved the “joint use of nuclear weapons,” incorporating Belarus into the exercises.
The nonstrategic nuclear weapons
Nonstrategic nuclear weapons, often referred to as tactical nuclear weapons, are specifically designed for battlefield use or limited regional conflicts rather than long-range strategic purposes. Russia maintains a diverse array of these weapons, which feature various delivery systems and warhead types.
One key category of Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons includes air-delivered munitions. Aircraft such as the Su-24M, Su-34, and Tu-22M3 bombers can deploy nuclear bombs and air-launched cruise missiles, offering both flexibility and rapid deployment capabilities.
Another critical category is sea-based nonstrategic nuclear weapons. These encompass nuclear-capable torpedoes, depth charges, and anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles. The Russian Navy’s surface ships and submarines, including the advanced Yasen-M class submarines, are equipped to carry these weapons, boosting their operational versatility.
Ground-based systems play a pivotal role in Russia’s non-strategic nuclear arsenal. Among these, the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles stand out, as they can be armed with nuclear warheads. These systems are crafted to strike enemy forces and infrastructure within a theater of operations, providing a swift response option.
Additionally, Russia integrates non-strategic nuclear weapons into its air defense systems. The S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, for example, have the potential to be equipped with nuclear warheads. This dual-purpose capability allows them to serve in both air defense and tactical nuclear strike roles.
This development and upkeep of non-strategic nuclear weapons are integral to Russia’s broader military doctrine. This strategic approach underscores the importance of maintaining a flexible and diverse nuclear capability. By emphasizing the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons across various conflict scenarios, Russia aims to deter both conventional and nuclear threats.
The tension
Tensions have escalated between Russia and the West due to Putin’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. On May 3, the Kremlin reacted to comments made by the then UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, who had stated that Ukraine could use British weapons to strike Russian territory.
However, there’s been a significant misunderstanding. In reality, London’s “permission” allowed Ukraine to use British ammo to strike Russian positions in temporarily occupied territories like Crimea, not to target Russian soil.
The Russian Federation’s land and sea non-strategic nuclear arsenal will play a part in the third stage of its anticipated nuclear deployment, alongside its combat aviation forces. Russia has cautioned that Western actions might compel it to amend its nuclear doctrine, specifying the scenarios under which it could deploy nuclear weapons.
On June 7, during the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Putin described Russia’s nuclear doctrine as a “living instrument” open to modification. He stated that Russia is “carefully observing global events and does not exclude making some adjustments to this doctrine” if necessary.