Real tests will soon be possible again
Russia simulates “massive nuclear” counterattack
October 25, 2023, 10:10 p.m
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Russia is not only laying the political foundation for new nuclear tests, the use of nuclear weapons is also at least being simulated in practice. Several ballistic missiles are rising in the north of the country. Tests with real nuclear warheads could soon follow again.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has overseen a military ballistic missile exercise to train a “massive nuclear” counterattack. “A training exercise was carried out under the leadership of the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin,” the Kremlin said. Ground, sea and air units of the nuclear deterrent forces were deployed and ballistic missiles and cruise missiles were fired. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the maneuver was intended to train a “massive nuclear strike by the Strategic Offensive Forces in response to an enemy nuclear attack.”
According to the Kremlin, the exercises included an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the north of the country and a ballistic missile from a submarine from the Barents Sea. Tu-95MS aircraft also fired cruise missiles.
The exercise took place on the day on which the upper house of the Russian parliament decided to withdraw Moscow’s ratification of the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The State Duma had already voted for this step before the Federation Council. The corresponding law now has to be signed by Putin, which there is little doubt about.
NATO is currently conducting its annual exercise to defend the European alliance area with nuclear weapons. At the exercise “Steadfast Noon” (for example: Indomitable Noon), according to NATO information, up to 60 aircraft will take part until October 26th. At the same time, NATO emphasized that “Steadfast Noon” was not a reaction to the Russian war of aggression and that no live weapons would be used.
(Almost) all nuclear power belongs to Russia and the USA
The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty calls for an end to all nuclear weapons tests after the United States and the Soviet Union and other nuclear powers carried out more than 2,000 nuclear tests. The contract was submitted for signature in 1996. However, it has not yet come into force because it has not been ratified by a sufficient number of countries. Russia, but also France and Great Britain have ratified the agreement, but the USA and other countries have not.
Russia and the USA together have almost 90 percent of all nuclear weapons in the world. Since Russia’s offensive in Ukraine began a year and a half ago, there have been concerns about the possible use of nuclear weapons in the conflict. Putin mobilized Russia’s nuclear forces shortly after the start of the conflict and repeatedly cited Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which envisages the use of nuclear weapons in the event of an “existential threat” to the state.