Putin announces Russian nuclear weapon drills near Ukraine

Are we witnessing the first steps of an escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict into a nuclear war with all the consequences that entails? It all depends on how the Kremlin's message is received.

Russia has activated the first phase of military exercises on the use of tactical nuclear weapons after Vladimir Putin himself gave a corresponding order earlier this month in response to "threats" from the West.

In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the exercises will take place in the Southern Military District, an area bordering Ukraine.

The maneuvers conducted by the Russian military include, among others, "tactical Iskander missiles (pictured) and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles" as well as training for nuclear-armed launch vehicles, the statement said.

The 9K720 Iskander missiles are short-range missiles, while the Kinzhal missiles (pictured) are hypersonic air-to-ground missiles that can reach targets more than 2,000 kilometers away at ten times the speed of sound.

The Russian maneuvers would therefore focus on "acquiring special ammunition for the Iskander system, equipping the launchers and moving unnoticed to the intended launch area," the statement said.

As the Ministry of Defense explains, these maneuvers ultimately serve to “protect Russia’s territorial unity and sovereignty in response to provocative statements and threats from certain Western figures.”

Russia is particularly targeting French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured), who, according to Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin's press chief, has brought up the option of sending European troops to support Ukraine in the conflict.

He also singled out David Cameron (photo), the current British foreign policy chief, for mentioning Ukraine's right to use British weapons to attack Russia. "This is a new turn in the escalation of tensions and requires special attention and action," he said.

Nonetheless, Russia's nuclear threat has been present almost since the first day of the war. It is not the first time that the Kremlin has announced military exercises like the current one, but it has also repeatedly reminded us of Russia's nuclear potential in retaliation for possible Western support for Ukraine.

From the United States, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed his displeasure with Russia's actions and called the attitude of a nuclear power "irresponsible."