Refer Report
Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw strategic nuclear exercises on the 29th (local time), a week before the U.S. presidential election, and said, “It is important to prepare nuclear power for immediate use for combat.”
Bloomberg News reported that President Putin said in a video conference with military leaders prior to the start of training that day, “There are no plans to enter a new arms race. However, in a situation where geopolitical tensions are rising, it is important to have a modern strategic force that is always ready for combat,” he was quoted as saying. He added, “In this exercise, we will practice situations where high-ranking officials use nuclear weapons,” adding, “It also includes practice launching ballistic missiles and cruise missiles that can be equipped with nuclear warheads.”
Last month, President Putin announced that he would revise the nuclear doctrine to consider an attack on Russia with conventional weapons by a non-nuclear state supported by another nuclear state as a joint attack. The announcement came shortly after he warned the United States and its NATO allies not to allow Ukraine to strike Russia with long-range missiles.
President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s basic position that “the use of nuclear weapons is an extreme and exceptional measure for national security.” He emphasized that the country will continue to modernize its nuclear forces by deploying new missiles with greater accuracy, faster launch times, and the ability to penetrate missile defense systems. Earlier this year, Russia jointly conducted nuclear exercises with its ally Belarus.
Reporter Kim Won-cheol wonchul@hani.co.kr
Source: Korean