Military Exercises Coincide with Treaty Developments Amid Global Concerns
Russia recently executed a large-scale military exercise to rehearse its capability to deliver a “massive” nuclear strike in response to an enemy’s nuclear attack. The announcement came from Russia’s Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, who reported the exercise to President Vladimir Putin. This event unfolds concurrently with Russia’s parliament endorsing the withdrawal of Moscow’s ratification of a global treaty that prohibits physical testing of nuclear warheads.
The military exercise, conducted in October, involved simulations of delivering a substantial nuclear strike using strategic offensive forces in reaction to an enemy’s nuclear attack, as revealed by Minister Shoigu. The Kremlin issued a statement disclosing that practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles took place during the exercise.
Among the missile launches, an intercontinental ballistic missile known as Yars was fired from a test site in Russia’s far-east. Additionally, another missile was launched from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Barents Sea. The Russian defense ministry has released footage of these tests.
Russia successfully tested its ability to deliver a massive retaliatory nuclear strike by land, sea and air, the Kremlin said, in a display of force that coincides with Moscow de-ratifying a landmark nuclear test ban treaty https://t.co/jgvY7lfC5q pic.twitter.com/FKaG0QSRrV
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 25, 2023
This demonstration of military readiness follows President Vladimir Putin’s declaration earlier this month about the successful testing of a nuclear-powered cruise missile. This experimental weapon, introduced in 2018, was initially praised for its potentially unlimited range, although independent confirmation of its capabilities remains pending.
The timing of these tests coincides with Russia’s decision to withdraw its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), a move reflecting the United States’ stance. While the U.S. signed the CTBT, it never ratified the treaty.
The CTBT, agreed upon in 1996, prohibits “any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion” globally. This development regarding Russia’s withdrawal from the treaty emerges against the backdrop of ongoing concerns related to nuclear warfare, particularly in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of the previous year.
In June, Russia deployed a batch of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, with President Putin emphasizing that these weapons would only be employed if Russia’s territory or sovereignty faced a direct threat.
The U.S. government has stated that it has no indication of the Kremlin planning to use nuclear weapons for an attack on Ukraine.
-
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for Western powers to remain vigilant in the face of the Ukraine...
-
Is TikTok Getting Banned in the States? The United States House of Representatives has voted with bipartisan support to...
-
The 2024 Election Race Continues Between Joe Biden and Donald Trump With the 2024 general election drawing closer, President...
-
The Philippines has strongly denounced what it described as “unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers” by China in...
-
As Moscow Prepares to Bid Adieu, Navalny’s Funeral Raises Uncertainties and International Allegations The spokesperson for Alexei Navalny has...
-
On the two-year anniversary of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, there is much to reflect upon. Since...
-
Another Successful Moon Landing Intuitive Machines, a commercial space company, has achieved a remarkable feat by landing its Odysseus...
-
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released official figures on Wednesday, revealing that the United Kingdom posted a record...
-
Has the State of USA Improved Since Trump’s Presidency or Gotten Worse? Given the current climate of the United...
-
Greece has become the first Christian Orthodox-majority country to legalize same-sex marriage, marking a significant step forward for LGBTQ+...
-
Massive Deflation in China as CPI Plummets by 0.8% China faces mounting challenges as its consumer prices spiral deeper...
-
In a surprise speech delivered from the White House, President Joe Biden addressed the recent special counsel’s report and...