Russia's nuclear drills reveal its problems at Ukraine front - expert

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Pavlo Lakiichuk, head of Security Programs at the Center for Global Studies Strategy XXI of Ukraine, believes that the announced Russian tactical nuclear weapons exercises indicate that Russia is losing the war with Ukraine. He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV. "I don't believe in any red lines drawn by the

Russians. They always raise the stakes, regardless of the red lines they once drew there. In particular, they use rate increases when they lose. That is why I am convinced that the main purpose of the announced tactical nuclear weapons exercises is a banal muscle play. Moscow is trying to demonstrate its power and capabilities of its nuclear forces, explained Lakiichuk.

According to the expert, any military exercises in Russia threaten to escalate the war.

"In any case, this is just a drill. Even if the Russians are trying to demonstrate their military might. However, the personnel during these exercises are practicing the skills of using certain weapons. And this is a certain danger," he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a snap exercise in the use of tactical nuclear weapons in the Southern Military District, which borders Ukraine.

The drill is intended as a warning to the US and

its allies not to escalate the Ukraine conflict any further, both the foreign and defense ministries in Moscow emphasized in public statements. The purpose of the drills is to iron out the practical aspects of the preparation and deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons, as well as to strengthen the readiness of both equipment and personnel, "in order to ensure the integrity and sovereignty of Russia," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The exercises will take place in the Southern Military District, which directly borders Ukraine.

Tactical nuclear warheads with yields of 5-50 kilotons can be mounted on 9M723-1 ballistic missiles or the 9M728 cruise missiles, both fired from the Iskander-M complex. Similar warheads can be carried by Kh-47M2 Kinzhal and the Kh-32 cruise missiles that are carried by Russian bombers.