Russia has prepared a fleet for nuclear strikes on targets in Europe, – FT

Russia has prepared a fleet to launch nuclear strikes against targets in Europe, – FT Yulia Murina

Russia was preparing its fleet for a nuclear strike on targets in Europe/Collage 24 Channel (illustrative photos, Getty Images)More interesting audio newsListen00:0001:391x1xAudio synthesized using AI.More Audio NewsTurn off

The occupiers prepared their fleet to strike with missiles with nuclear warheads. In particular, they trained sailors to attack targets in European countries.

The publication reported this with reference to secret documents. Journalists noted that in a “potential conflict” with the West, in particular NATO members, the aggressor intended to deliver devastating blows to targets scattered throughout Western Europe.

Russia was preparing its fleet for a nuclear strike on targets in Europe

Accordingly, the presentation for Russian officers was prepared even before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Maps of targets as far away as the west coast of France and Barrow-in-Furness in the UK are detailed in a presentation to officers prepared before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the publication noted.

These plans were based on plans drawn up by the occupiers between 2008 and 2014. They include a list of targets for missiles that can carry both conventional and tactical nuclear warheads. Enemy officers emphasize the advantages of using nuclear strikes at an early stage.

The presentation also indicates that the aggressor country has retained the ability to transport nuclear weapons on surface ships. This, according to experts, carries significant additional risks of escalation of the military conflict or accidents.

In addition, the documents state that the fleet's “high maneuverability” gives it the ability to carry out “sudden and preemptive strikes” and “massive missile strikes from multiple directions.” The nuclear warheads are intended to be used “in combination with other weapons to achieve Russia's targets.”

Analysts who have studied the documents said they are consistent with NATO's assessment of long-range missile threats from Russian naval vessels.

The maps also illustrate a selection of 32 NATO targets in Europe for an aggressor navy. For example, the Baltic Fleet's targets are primarily located in Norway and Germany, including the naval base in Bergen. As well as radar stations and special forces units' facilities.

According to the Kremlin's plan, the Russian Northern Fleet will have to strike at defence industry facilities, primarily the British submarine yard at Barrow-in-Furness.

Interestingly, the scenarios developed by Russia allow for military conflicts with Moscow's current allies – China, Iran, Azerbaijan and the DPRK.

Their concept of war is total war. They see these things (tactical nuclear warheads) as a potentially winning weapon. They will want to use them, and they will want to use them fairly quickly, said arms control expert and professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey Jeffrey Lewis.

The journalists also noted that the Russian secret documents mention the option of a so-called “demonstration strike” – detonating a nuclear warhead in a “remote area during a period of immediate threat of aggression” before a real conflict to intimidate the West. At the official level, Russia has never acknowledged that such strikes are provided for in military doctrine.