Russian President, Vladimir Putin, ordered the Armed Forces to carry out “soon” maneuvers with tactical nuclear weapons due to Western “threats”, The Russian Ministry of Defense announced this on Monday.

“During the exercise, a number of activities will be carried out (…) for preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons the military statement said.

These missile maneuvers, in which both aviation and the navy will take part, will be conducted by the forces of the Southern Military District. borders with Ukraine.

In addition, it is added in a note, the exercises are aimed at “increase the level of combat readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces” when performing combat missions.”

The Russian army intends “unconditionally guarantee the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state.” “in response to provocative statements and threats from some Western leaders against the Russian Federation.”

In this regard, the Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov, On Monday, at his daily telephone press conference, he assured that the exercise They are a response to statements by French President Emmanuel Macron. and other senior British officials.

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“They talked about readiness and even intention send military contingents to Ukraine, that is, to field NATO soldiers against the Russian military. This is a new round of escalation of tension. “This is unprecedented and requires special attention and special measures,” he said.

In statements to EconomistMacron insisted again a few days ago that does not exclude the possibility of sending NATO troops to the territory of Ukraine.

Several senior Russian officials have suggested possible use of tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Ukraine, however, they opposed the possible deployment by the United States of this type of weapon in the United Kingdom.

In addition, Putin then approved deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, the country from whose territory Russian troops entered Ukraine in the first days of the current war.

These maneuvers take place in on the eve of his inauguration for a fifth term in Putin’s Kremlin, which over the past decade has increased spending on modernizing Russia’s nuclear triad – intercontinental missiles, nuclear submarines and strategic aircraft – to maintain parity with the United States.

Last February, in response to alleged NATO plans to station troops in Ukraine, Putin stressed that Russia’s strategic nuclear forces They are “in full combat readiness.”

Last year, Russia withdrew its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), although it maintains a moratorium until the United States conducts such tests.

(EFE)