Russia Simulates Nuclear Strikes Near EU

Screen grab is a missile fired by a Russian Army Iskander tactical missile system during the special military operation in Ukraine.Russian Defense Ministry/TASS

After sending troops to Ukraine in late February, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made thinly veiled threats about Russia’s willingness to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.

During Wednesday’s war games, Russia practiced “electronic launches” of nuclear-capable Iskander mobile ballistic missile systems near Russia’s borders with EU-members Lithuania and Poland, the defense ministry said in a statement.

The Russian forces practiced single and multiple strikes at targets imitating missile systems, airfields, defended infrastructure, military equipment and command posts, according to the statement.

The units involved also practiced “actions in conditions of radiation and chemical contamination.”More than 100 servicemen took part in the drills.Russia placed nuclear forces on high alert shortly after the start of the invasion of Ukraine.

Putin has warned of a “lightning fast” retaliation if the West directly intervenes in the Ukraine conflict.In recent days, Russian state-owned media has attempted to make the use of nuclear weapons more palatable to the public.

“For two weeks now, we have been hearing from our television screens that nuclear silos should be opened,” Russian newspaper editor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov said Tuesday.

Source:themoscowtimes.com/2022/05/05