Putin drew the nuclear line

The Russian Army is preparing for exercises with tactical nuclear weapons

A kind word and a gun can achieve much more than just a kind word. Therefore, the best news on Monday: the Russian Armed Forces have begun preparing for exercises on the use of tactical nuclear weapons. This is already a qualitative change in our policy from words to deeds.

The news is worth examining in detail.

Photo: kremlin.ru

First, we read: “on instructions from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.” This means that it was the head of state Vladimir Putin who initiated the exercises with tactical nuclear weapons. And the fact that his new presidential term (inauguration on May 7) begins with such actions gives a signal: now we are starting in earnest.

Secondly, the exercises will be conducted by the Southern Military District, which is closest to the Northern Military District zone. And all means that carry tactical nuclear weapons will be involved in the exercises: missile formations, aviation, naval forces. Only the insane can fail to hear and understand this signal.

Thirdly: given that figures with similar developmental characteristics have become the norm among the political leaders of the “civilized world,” the Ministry of Defense already directly indicates that the exercise is being conducted “in response to provocative statements and threats by individual Western officials against the Russian Federation.” And it is being carried out to maintain readiness for the “combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons for response” and for the purpose of “unconditionally ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state.”

On February 24, 2022, Putin, announcing the start of the SVO, said, in particular, the following: “Now a few important, very important words for those who may be tempted from the outside to intervene in the events taking place. Whoever tries to hinder us, and even more so create threats to our country, to our people, should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to consequences that you have never encountered in your history. We are ready for any development of events. All necessary decisions in this regard have been made. I hope that I will be heard.”

The further course of events showed: hopes were not justified, they hear, but do not want to hear. No matter how many red lines we draw — for the supply of tanks, for the supply of long-range missiles, for aircraft, for the NATO contingent — they all intersect or, in the case of personnel of Western armies, intersect before our eyes. Because in the game of escalation, we always played number two, and we drew these red lines in the air.

And then, finally, action. Not a conversation about intentions, but a real demonstration of intentions. Qualitative change. I would like to believe that this is not an episode, but a process that has begun.