Russia has prepared a list of 32 potential nuclear targets in Europe, including distant locations like the western coast of France and Barrow-in-Furness in England, as detailed in a presentation for officers before the invasion of Ukraine.
The documents, compiled between 2008 and 2014, suggest that Moscow has been practicing the use of tactical nuclear weapons in early stages of conflicts with the West, planning attacks beyond NATO's borders.
Additionally, Russia has emphasized its capability to deploy nuclear weapons on surface ships, which could heighten the risk of escalation or accidents. The documents reveal that the Russian navy utilizes its "high maneuverability" to conduct sudden and overwhelming missile attacks from various directions, using nuclear weapons in conjunction with other means.
Experts on Russia's tactics
Analysts quoted by the Financial Times confirm that NATO's assessments of the threat posed by Russia's long-range and nuclear weapons are consistent with these documents, indicating a potential risk to all of Europe if Russia were to engage NATO in conflict.
William Alberque, a former NATO official now with the Stimson Center, notes that the 32 targets described are just a small fraction of the hundreds, if not thousands, of targets across Europe, including both military and infrastructure sites.
Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, USA, believes that Russia views tactical nuclear weapons as potentially decisive in a conflict and may seek to use them swiftly.
The Financial Times also reports that tactical nuclear weapons, despite having shorter ranges and less destructive power than strategic weapons, can still release significant energy, exceeding that of the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
In addition, the documents suggest that Russia is considering a deliberate demonstration of nuclear force as a means of intimidating Western countries and showing its readiness to use such weapons.
Russia maintains nuclear weapons on ships despite international agreements
Documents reveal that Russia plans to weaken NATO's military and economic capabilities through attacks on civilian targets and critical infrastructure, similar to its actions in Ukraine.
Experts suggest that Russia may view nuclear weapons as crucial in the early stages of a conflict with NATO due to its limited conventional resources.
The documents show aslo that Russia continues to maintain the capability to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on surface ships, despite previous international agreements.
Russian submarines participate in the Vostok 2022 strategic command and staff exercise in the Peter the Great Gulf of the Sea of Japan, near Vladivostok, Russia, 05 September 2022 (illustrative photo, Yuri Kochetkov/PAP/EPA)
Expert William Alberque highlights that carrying nuclear weapons on surface ships poses significant risks, as they are more vulnerable to damage than strategic submarines.
The Financial Times notes that recent exercises ordered by Putin to practice the use of tactical nuclear weapons confirm that the leaked documents align with Russia's current military doctrine.
Source: „Financial Times”/IAR/PR24/PAP
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