Russia puts its strategic nuke forces on highest alert and carries out large-scale exercises in attempt to use 'nuclear blackmail' to weaken Western support for Ukraine
- Ukraine's Ministry of Defence warns Russia is escalating its nuclear threat
- They claim the threat is being used to break foreign support at a crucial point
Russia is attempting to use its nuclear threat to weaken international support for Ukraine, according to Kyiv intelligence.
The official Ukrainian Ministry of Defence reported via Telegram that Russia has started large-scale exercises involving its strategic nuclear forces, stationed for launch by air, land and sea, and put its units on the highest alert.
The post, shared on Sunday, warned that Russia was planning to use 'blunt nuclear blackmail' to weaken foreign support and to stop Joe Biden's visit to Europe this week.
Biden, however, arrived in Poland today to meet with President Andrzej Duda and other NATO leaders ahead of the one year anniversary of the war this week.
Unmoved, the American leader made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, after warning Russia, and promised to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, pledging military aid worth $500mn.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Azerbaijan's President in October
According to the intelligence report, Russia has checked its 'Monolith' central command system.
The same system was used during the 1962 crisis between the United States and the USSR, when 'Monolith' helped relay orders to strategic missile forces.
Independent American think-tank Global Security notes 'the most serious drawback of this system was that the order from Moscow to launch the missiles could not be cancelled.'
New systems have since been introduced to overcome the shortcomings.
As well as a recent review of how well its systems were working and raising the alarm for combat readiness, the Ukrainian MoD said that the crew of a missile submarine cruiser was ordered to exit its launch area.
Tambov air base, an airfield used for training bombers, reportedly had a secondary control point deployed.
Experts warn these 'thinly veiled threats' have increased the likelihood of nuclear catastrophe in recent months.
In January, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, a nonprofit founded by former Manhattan Project scientists, moved its 'Doomsday Clock' to '90 seconds to midnight', the closest it has ever been.
The clock represents how close mankind supposedly is to a human-made global catastrophe, with 'midnight' representing the catastrophe.
The main influencing factors are nuclear risk and climate change.
While the scientists cited Russia's nuclear threats for their decision, the Kremlin in response blamed NATO and the U.S.
A Russian ICBM is pictured launching during a test of the Russian strategic deterrence in late 2022. Russia practised a massive nuclear strike in response to an enemy nuclear attack
President Biden is visiting Europe this week to meet with NATO leaders and offer assurances to Ukraine as the war takes on a new form.
NATO has warned that Russia is already beginning a new major offensive, bringing 'more troops, more weapons and more capabilities' into Ukraine.
At the start of the month, Ukrainian intelligence suggested Russia was conscripting women to fighting roles to make up losses and drive the new offensive after losing thousands from its 'human wave' suicidal marches.
Poland today called on the United States to reaffirm its commitment to Article 5, which would require it to come to the aid of any NATO member targeted by Russia, as fears of a new Russian offensive grow.
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