Just hours after he ordered Russia's nuclear forces to be placed in a "special" state of readiness, Vladimir Putin sent Russian submarines capable of carrying 16 ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads each into the North Atlantic, the Times of London reveals.
According to the paper, British naval chiefs perceived this Russian foray closer to European shores as a "demonstration and warning" rather than a real threat.
As the paper adds, the submarines returned to Russia shortly afterwards and so normal levels of activity were restored. Since then, however, Western security intelligence agencies have been monitoring the Kremlin's nuclear arsenal more closely.
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[/P]The Times reports that while Russia's use of "strategic" nuclear weapons like those these submarines could carry is still considered "unthinkable", some analysts say they can imagine scenarios of using shorter-range and less powerful "tactical" nuclear weapons.
As explained, a tactical nuclear weapon can typically destroy an area equal to a football field. A strategic nuclear weapon would destroy an entire city.
[/P]Experts tell the newspaper that although Russian war doctrine provides for the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons, no movement of nuclear weapons from storage sites in Russia has been identified.
[/B][/P][BR][BR]Among the experts speaking to the newspaper is University of Leicester professor Andrew Futer, who specializes in nuclear arsenals. He believes there are three scenarios in which nuclear weapons could be used.
First, Russia could detonate a "tactical" nuclear weapon for show of force purposes,[/B] possibly over the sea to avoid casualties.
The second scenario envisages the use of a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine to destroy a large military or civilian target. Here Professor Futer notes that this does not seem to be necessary given Russia's considerable firepower.
Finally, Russia might venture a strike with a tactical nuclear weapon against a NATO member country. "I could only imagine this happening if Russia believed that NATO was preparing for war and that a possible Russian defeat was imminent. Whether the strike was against a military or a political target, this would potentially be a World War III scenario," the British professor explains.
Source: CNA
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