Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces practice the scenario of “launching a powerful nuclear strike in response to a nuclear attack from the enemy”.
The exercise involved RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarines, and Tupolev strategic bombers, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Army General Valery Gerasimov said.
Reportedly, RS-24 Yars is a strategic missile system that can be placed on mobile launchers or in tunnels and is an improved version of the Topol-M missile complex.
Continuously moving missiles also reduce the risk of nuclear attack because the launch location is constantly changing, ensuring an element of secrecy.
Putting missiles on mobile launchers is certainly not too difficult a problem for the US, as even North Korea can do this.
Mobile ICBMs give Russia the ability to respond in the event of a nuclear attack against its stationary silos while ensuring an element of secrecy in force deployment and concealment of launch sites.
The Kremlin said Russia’s strategic nuclear forces conducted drills under the supervision of President Putin, including firing nuclear ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Earlier, the Pentagon said that Russia had informed it of the nuclear drills was started yesterday, stressing that it was a routine activity.
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the US and Russia requires the two countries to notify each other in advance of strategic missile launches during drills.
NATO also kicked off the two-week “Steadfast Noon” nuclear exercise on October 17, stressing that it was a “routine, routine training activity” planned before Russia launched a military operation in the region. Ukraine. (Images of F-15s dropping B61-12 nuclear bombs during drills)
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also announced on October 26 that Russian President Putin would hold a meeting with members of the Security Council at the end of the day.
Speaking at a meeting with leaders of intelligence agencies of some former Soviet Union countries, President Putin said on October 26 that the risk of conflict in the world and the region is still very high, so it is necessary to increase Increased security around critical infrastructure.
Putin also said that Russia was aware of Ukraine’s plan to use “dirty bombs”. However, the Kiev side has flatly denied it.
A “dirty bomb” is a bomb that uses conventional explosives mixed with nuclear material to spread radioactive material over a large area.
Ukraine denies the allegation, saying Russia is planning such a “dirty bomb” attack and seeks to blame Kiev.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to react, calling for unified international action against Russia’s accusations.
“If Russia calls and says that Ukraine is supposed to be preparing something, then this means that Russia has prepared all of that,” Zelensky said in a video posted on social media. “I believe it’s time for the world to react as aggressively as possible.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also dismissed a statement from Moscow calling it an “absurd” and “dangerous” allegation. “Russians often accuse others of what they plan themselves,” he added.
The West meanwhile fears Russia could use tactical nuclear weapons after accusing Ukraine of using “dirty bombs”.
A statement from the British Ministry of Defense said Defense Secretary Ben Wallace rejected the Russian claim, warning that “such allegations should not be used as a pretext for a larger escalation”.
In Washington, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said the administration of President Joe Biden also rejected “clearly false accusations from Moscow that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its territory.” his territory”.
“The tasks set out during the training of the strategic deterrent force have been fully completed, all missiles have hit the target,” the Kremlin announced on October 26, 2022.
