Kremlin rattles nuclear weapon in hopes of derailing Western aid for Ukraine - ISW
Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev (photo: Getty Images)
Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, has continued his rhetoric of wielding the nuclear sword, partially aimed at deterring Western aid to Ukraine, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
On February 7, Medvedev stated that Russia has repeatedly emphasized that its plans do not involve any conflict with NATO and EU member countries. However, Kremlin officials, including Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, have recently been constantly threatening NATO member countries, and Kremlin-affiliated figures seem to be attempting to sow instability and create informational conditions for possible future aggressive actions by Russia against various European states.
Medvedev stated that the military budgets and populations of NATO countries are significantly larger than those of the Russian Federation, so in the event of a war with the Alliance, Moscow will be forced to respond asymmetrically, using ballistic and cruise missiles with special warheads, meaning nuclear warheads, and this will lead to apocalypse. He posted these statements on his English-language X channel (formerly Twitter) and Russian-language Telegram channel.
The report notes that Medvedev's statements are intended for both international and domestic audiences. Kremlin officials and experts regularly threaten to use nuclear weapons against NATO members. According to ISW experts, this nuclear rhetoric is aimed at deterring Western aid to Ukraine.
"Medvedev‘s statements about NATO’s larger size and military budget relative to Russia are likely aimed at domestically promoting Kremlin narratives that NATO — and the West generally - poses an existential threat to Russia - a claim the Kremlin has used to try to justify its full-scale invasion of Ukraine," the ISW report said.
Russia's provocations against NATO countries and the U.S.
Lately, the Kremlin has been increasingly engaging in provocations, indicating preparation for war with EU and NATO countries.
Recently, two Tu-95M strategic bombers flew for about 9 hours accompanied by Su-30SM fighters over the Bering and Chukchi Seas close to the Russian border with the U.S.
During the massive air attack on Ukraine on February 7, one of the Russian cruise missiles moved towards the Polish border but later changed course towards Lviv. Poland scrambled aircraft.
Previously, ISW reported significant disruptions in GPS systems in Poland and the Baltic region. Thus, Russia is attempting to conceal its activity in the Murmansk region or disrupt NATO exercises.
