Russia has been preparing its fleet for nuclear strikes since 2008

According to classified documents obtained by American journalists from Western sources, Russia has been developing a strategy for its fleet that includes nuclear strikes on targets in Western Europe in the event of a conflict with NATO.

This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the Financial Times.

It is noted that these documents were developed between 2008 and 2014. They contain maps with potential targets on the west coast of France and the coordinates of the naval base in Barrow-in-Furness in the north of the UK.

They also emphasize that Russia has retained the ability to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on surface ships, despite international agreements, and among the carriers of such weapons are "anti-submarine missiles with nuclear warheads deployed on surface ships and submarines", "ship and shore-based guided air defense missiles with nuclear warheads to defeat enemy air defense groups".

It is noteworthy that the possible attacks on these facilities were described in detail in a presentation for Russian officers that preceded the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It also included information that Russia retained the ability to carry nuclear weapons on surface ships, which, according to experts, carries significant additional risks of escalation. It was suggested that "sudden and preemptive strikes" and "massive missile attacks...from different directions" could be carried out.

Russian officers were told that nuclear weapons are "generally" intended to be used "in conjunction with other means of destruction" to achieve Russia's goals.

The Financial Times writes that, according to the documents, the targets of Russia's Baltic Fleet are mostly in Norway and Germany, including the naval base in Bergen, as well as radar stations and special forces facilities.

The presentation also demonstrates how its doctrine can be applied in possible wars in the Black and Caspian Seas, and even in the Pacific Ocean.

"Scenarios include wars with current allies such as China, Iran, Azerbaijan, and North Korea," the document states.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 14/08/2024