Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Medvedev outlines Russia's goals in nuclear weapons exercise

According to RIA Novosti, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia's tactical nuclear weapons exercise is aimed at maintaining and developing the ability to quickly react to possible attacks by Western Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG missiles.

"Great! What a pity, man. After all, Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG are not controlled by idiots, but by the British and the French. In certain cases, the answer to this will be not just missiles flying to Kiev. And not just with conventional explosives, but also with special ammunition. And practicing responses to such attacks is the goal of the planned nuclear exercises," Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel.

This is how Mr Medvedev commented on recent statements by British Foreign Secretary David Cameron about Ukraine's right to use British weapons to attack Russian territory.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on May 9 that Moscow's recent decision to conduct tactical nuclear weapons exercises was partly due to the increasingly escalating stance of some Western countries.

However, Mr. Ryabkov pointed out that Russia's nuclear doctrine remains unchanged, allowing the use of such weapons only in cases where the country's existence is threatened.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced earlier this week that nuclear exercises, ordered by President Vladimir Putin and involving missile, air and naval forces, would take place “in the near future.” According to military officials, the exercises are intended to demonstrate Russia’s readiness to “unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty” of the country.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on May 9 that Russia and Belarus are conducting exercises using tactical nuclear weapons./.