UK aims to develop missiles against Russia's nuclear weapons - The Times
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom is considering developing long-range missiles capable of destroying Russian nuclear weapons. As fears grow in Europe that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin may be ready to use them, The Times reports.
Diplomatic sources of the news agency said that the UK has made it clear that it will work with Germany to create a weapon with a range of about 3,200 kilometers.
The allies assume that this weapon will be able to fly from Berlin to Moscow if Putin decides to launch tactical nuclear weapons.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey is believed to have discussed the project with his German counterpart in Berlin on Wednesday, July 24. He was there as part of a 48-hour diplomatic tour of Europe to strengthen cooperation between the UK and its allies and promote its NATO First defense strategy.
The long-range missiles will be deployed in Germany, replacing the US missiles that will be deployed there in the coming years.
According to a diplomatic source, recent Putin's statements and others indicate that Russia is lowering the threshold for the use of tactical nuclear weapons.
This month, the United States and Germany announced that US long-range missiles will be periodically stationed in Germany starting in 2026 for the first time since the Cold War. The decision, which provoked an angry reaction from Moscow, was announced during the NATO summit in Washington.
Russian nuclear threats
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian officials and media have regularly threatened to use nuclear weapons against various countries around the world.
According to experts from the Institute for the Study of War, such actions are aimed at intimidating Western politicians into taking actions favorable to Russia.
The communiqué issued following the June G7 summit states that Russia will face serious consequences if it dares to use nuclear or chemical weapons.
