Russia displays its nuclear weapons on state television

A Russian television host showcased his country's nuclear weapons during a report on state television, as Russia conducted tactical nuclear weapons exercises near the Ukrainian border.

Dmitri Kiselyov, presenter of state television Russia-1 and Kremlin propagandist, showed pictures Russian forces deploying weapons on its Vesti Nedeli segment.

It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin this month ordered military exercises in response to what the Kremlin called provocative statements and threats from the West.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the exercises are aimed at “maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons” and ensuring territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the nation “in response to provocative statements and threats from certain Western countries. officials against the Russian Federation. »

“During the exercise, a series of measures will be implemented to put into practice the issues of preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” the Defense Ministry said.

Russia issued the statement after British Foreign Secretary David Cameron suggested allowing Ukraine to use British weapons for strikes on Russian soil, and after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested sending NATO troops in Ukraine.

During his show on state television, Kiselyov showed videos released by the Russian Defense Ministry.

One clip showed Russian forces with a mobile Iskander short-range ballistic missile system. Another showed a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber and a MiG-31 jet equipped with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on May 21 that the first stage of exercises had begun, involving “practical tests of readiness and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons” in the Southern Military District.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Cameron's comments “dangerous”, saying they were an example of “verbal escalation” that could threaten European security.

“This is a direct escalation of tensions around the Ukrainian conflict, which could potentially pose a danger to European security and to the entire security architecture of Europe,” Peskov said. “This is part of a dangerous trend of escalating tensions through official statements, and that is what concerns us.”

Putin said in September 2022 that Russia would be ready to use nuclear weapons to defend its “territorial integrity,” adding that “this is not a bluff.”

During his annual state of the nation address in Moscow on February 29, the Russian leader declared that his “strategic nuclear forces are fully ready.”

Do you have a tip on a world news story that News week should it cover? Do you have a question about the Russo-Ukrainian War? Let us know via [email protected].