Worthy Christian News > World News > Russia Begins Drills Involving Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons

Russia Begins Drills Involving Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Accusing the West of “provocation,” Russia on Tuesday began training exercises for the “preparation and use” of non-strategic nuclear weapons, the Associated Press reports. The intention to conduct the drills was announced by the Russian Defense Ministry in a statement on May 6.

According to the defense ministry, the drills are being conducted in response to “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation,” AP reports. The West has been supporting Ukraine in its fight to resist the ongoing invasion launched by Russia on Feb. 24, 2022.

One statement that provoked Russia came from France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who recently reiterated he does not exclude the possibility of sending French troops to Ukraine to fight Russian forces.

Another “provocative” statement was issued by UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who said Ukraine can use British long-range weapons to strike targets inside Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 6 that these remarks had triggered “ a new round of escalation.”

The tactical nuclear weapons being used in the drills are intended for use on the battlefield. They include air bombs, warheads for short-range missiles, and artillery munitions, AP said. These weapons are not as powerful as strategic nuclear weapons, which are intended to destroy entire cities.