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[Text/Observer Network Chen Sijia] "Russian Navy trains to use nuclear missiles to target targets deep in Europe." The Financial Times published an article on August 13 with this title, saying that several leaked confidential military documents showed that the Russian Navy had trained to use nuclear missiles to target targets deep in Europe.NATOIn the event of a potential conflict, target deep into Europe with missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The documents, drawn up by Russian officials between 2008 and 2014, include a list of targets for missiles that could carry conventional warheads or tactical nuclear weapons, covering dozens of NATO targets across Europe, as far as the west coast of France and the northwestern English port city of Barrow-in-Furness.

According to the Financial Times, the documents show that Russia has retained the right to carry thenuclear weaponThe document also said the navy’s high mobility enables it to carry out “sudden and preemptive strikes” and “massive missile strikes from all directions.”

The document also mentions the option of a so-called "deterrent strike," which would involve detonating a nuclear weapon in a remote area "at a time of direct threat of aggression" before an actual conflict to deter Western countries. This would demonstrate the "availability and readiness of precision non-strategic nuclear weapons" and the "determination to use nuclear weapons." However, Russia has never acknowledged that its military doctrine includes such a strike.

Former NATO officials and analysts told the Financial Times that the contents of the leaked documents are broadly consistent with NATO's assessment of the threat posed by Russian naval missiles and the speed with which Russia could use nuclear weapons, meaning that targets across Europe could be attacked if Russia engages forces in the Baltic states or eastern NATO countries such as Poland.

Jeffrey Lewis, a professor at the Monterey Institute of International Studies at Middlebury College who studies arms control, said: "Their (Russia's) concept of war is total war. They see these equipment (tactical nuclear weapons) as weapons that may win the war, and they may want to use these weapons."

Fabian Hoffmann, a researcher who studies nuclear policy at the University of Oslo in Norway, said the documents combine nuclear strikes with conventional strikes, "which constitute a package that sends a signal to the adversary that 'the situation is really heating up, and you better start talking to us about how to solve it.'"

The Financial Times pointed out that tactical nuclear weapons can be carried on missiles launched from land, sea or air, and although their range and power are not as good as strategic nuclear weapons, they can still cause great damage. According to NATO's calculations, if NATO's eastern flank is to be protected from a full-scale attack by Russia, NATO member states only have 5% of the air defense capabilities they need.

In addition, the leaked document also pointed out that in a conflict with NATO, Russia's primary goal is to "weaken the enemy's military and economic potential." Therefore, analysts said that this indicates that Russia may choose to attack critical infrastructure.

Since May this year, Russia has conducted a series of non-strategic nuclear weapons exercises in response to provocative remarks and threats from some Western officials against Russia. According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, on July 31, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the launch of the third phase of non-strategic nuclear weapons exercises, and the Russian armed forces will practice preparations for the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in combat.

According to reports, missile troops from the Southern and Central Military Districts will practice obtaining special training shells for the Iskander-M missile system, loading them into missile carriers, and secretly moving them to designated positions for electronic launch. The Russian Aerospace Forces participating in the exercise will practice loading special warheads and flying to designated patrol areas.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said that during the first and second phases of the exercises, troops of the Southern Military District and the Leningrad Military District, as well as the Aerospace Forces and the Navy, practiced preparations for the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in combat.

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said on June 11 that the non-strategic nuclear weapons exercise was Russia's normal response to NATO's active participation in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, allowing Ukraine to launch missile attacks on Russian civilian targets, and NATO's enhanced military deployment on the Russian border. "By holding exercises, Russia has responded to NATO's military buildup near our border."

Regarding Russia's nuclear policy, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized in March this year: "Weapons are meant to be used. We have our own principles, which mean that if Russia's national existence is threatened, if our sovereignty and independence are threatened, we are ready to use any weapons, including the (nuclear) weapons you mentioned. All of this is written in our strategy, and we have not changed it."

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