Nuclear tensions in Europe have intensified again. NATO and Russia are conducting nuclear drills while Moscow has accused Ukraine of preparing “dirty bombs” for use in the ongoing conflict. Mint explains what nuclear saber-rattling means for Europe and the world.
How has nuclear tension increased?
NATO is currently conducting its annual nuclear exercise with 14 countries, called the Steadfast Noon. The exercise, which involves more than 60 aircraft from participating countries, will rely on the controversial nuclear-sharing doctrine. This means that the Allied powers, many of which do not have nuclear capabilities of their own, would be trained in the use of US nuclear weapons. NATO claims that the timing of the exercise is not targeted towards any particular country, even when the war in Ukraine worsens. Meanwhile, Russia has also conducted its nuclear exercise by testing nuclear capable submarines, bombers and an intercontinental ballistic missile. In recent weeks, Moscow has also accused Ukraine of preparing a “dirty bomb”, a conventional weapon that contains radioactive material.
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What is “Dirty Bomb”?
Dirty bombs are intended to act as a mass-disruption weapon. They combine the potential of conventional weapons with radioactive material that can be obtained from hospitals, power plants and research laboratories. They are cheaper and easier to manufacture than nuclear weapons and do not bring any of their destructive potential to the table. However, such bombs can cause radioactive material to spread widely and even make some areas uninhabitable. This can lead to massive evacuation of the affected areas. Although attempts to detonate bombs using such weapons have been made in the past, particularly by Chechen fighters in the 1990s, none of these actions have been successful.
Why do these exercises and Russian accusations matter?
Russia last conducted its nuclear drills in February, days before attacking Ukraine. The country has recently kept its nuclear forces in ready condition. In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine after gaining major regional gains in areas that Moscow has occupied. This has raised fears that Russia may consider limited nuclear use in a war zone.
It is also worrying to accuse Ukraine of making a “dirty bomb”. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has been vocal about his concerns and has raised the issue with his counterparts in the United States, the United Kingdom, France and even India. Some speculate that the Russian government is expected to launch a “false flag attack” that would involve the use of a dirty bomb and later blame it on Ukrainian forces. Other analysts have dismissed this possibility.
How have both sides reacted?
Western powers such as the US have categorically rejected Russia’s allegations against Ukraine.
The United States, France and Britain made a joint statement, calling the Russian allegations “transparently false”.
A spokesman for the US National Security Council said categorically. “The Russians sometimes blame others for things they were planning to do,” said John Kirby of the NSC.
Russia has stood by these allegations. According to media reports, Moscow has raised this matter in the United Nations Security Council. In particular, the Russian ambassador is said to have asked Western countries to stop “acts of nuclear terrorism” to Ukraine.
What does this mean for the war in Ukraine?
On one level, the escalating war of words over the use of nuclear has sharply raised the temperature of the conflict. The US Pentagon has already warned that “there will be consequences” if Russia resorts to the use of nuclear weapons or dirty bombs in Ukraine.
Hanging up on the prospect of nuclear weapons to intimidate opponents to subjugate is a new and dangerous development in international politics. The threat posed by the use of nuclear weapons by major powers did not seem so acute since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
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