Updates on Russian Army’s Exercises with Special Ammunition for Iskander Missile System

Russian Army Conducts Exercises with Special Ammunition for Iskander Missile System Amid Nuclear Tensions with West

In a recent statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that soldiers from the Russian army’s Southern Military District are currently practicing the use of special ammunition for the Iskander missile system. These exercises involve equipping launchers and covertly advancing to designated launch positions, as reported by ORF.

The timing of these maneuvers is significant, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has been issuing nuclear threats towards the West since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The ministry cited “provocative statements and threats from certain Western representatives” as the reason for these exercises. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov even went as far as accusing French President Emmanuel Macron and British officials of contributing to the escalation of nuclear tensions.

Unlike strategic nuclear weapons that target entire cities, tactical nuclear weapons are designed for battlefield use. The current exercises focus on preparing units and equipment for the “combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons” to safeguard Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Additionally, the drills include equipping Kinzhal hypersonic missiles with special warheads and flying into specified patrol areas.

The backdrop of these maneuvers is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Western countries have been supplying weapons to support the Ukrainian resistance against Russia’s aggression. Analysts view these exercises as a clear warning from Putin for the West to cease interference in the war in Ukraine. The exercises are seen as a response to discussions about potential NATO troop deployments in Ukraine.

International reactions to the Russian exercises have been mixed. Russia’s Foreign Ministry described them as a “sobering message” to the West and its allies in Ukraine. The ministry called on Western capitals to recognize the strategic risks they are creating and avoid direct military confrontation with Russia. The involvement of Belarus, where Russia deployed tactical nuclear weapons last year, adds another dimension to the exercises.

Overall, the latest developments underscore the growing importance of non-strategic nuclear weapons in Russia’s military strategy since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. With these exercises, Russia is sending a clear message that it is willing to utilize all means necessary to protect its territorial claims and deter further escalation from the West.