Russia's nuclear unit spotted in Crimea amid escalating tensions
In Russian-occupied Crimea, the distinctive vehicles of the so-called nuclear unit of the Russian Ministry of Defence have been spotted. The numbers on the vehicles confirm their affiliation.
Radio Svoboda reports on the sightings. Journalists obtained numerous photos showing military trucks of the Russian MOD. Their license plates display the number 39, which is assigned specifically to nuclear units.
Nuclear unit in Crimea
The vehicles were seen on roads near Kerch and the Kerch Peninsula.
"According to the list of digital codes found on the license plates of Russian Armed Forces vehicles, those of the 12th Directorate are marked with the code 39. The 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation is responsible for the storage, maintenance, and operation of nuclear ammunition. It also includes the Special Control Service, which monitors nuclear tests in other countries," reports Radio Svoboda.
Russia changes nuclear doctrine
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, quoted on Sunday by Russian state media, stated that his country will change its nuclear doctrine in response to the "escalation by Western adversaries" concerning Ukraine.
Reuters writes that the current doctrine, decreed in 2020 by Vladimir Putin, provides for the use of nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear or conventional attack if it threatens the existence of the Russian state.
However, Putin announced in June that the doctrine could be changed, and nationalist commentators have voiced that the criteria for using nuclear weapons should be lowered to "sober up" Russia's Western enemies. Reuters notes that Ryabkov's statement is the clearest signal yet that changes will indeed be made.
"The work is at an advanced stage, and there is a clear intention to introduce amendments," said the deputy head of Russian diplomacy. He added that this is "related to the escalation of our Western adversaries" concerning the war in Ukraine.
Putin has repeatedly threatened the West with the use of nuclear weapons since he launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He also announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
However, these threats - notes Reuters - have not deterred the USA or its allies from increasing military aid to Ukraine to levels that would have been unimaginable before the outbreak of this war, including providing it with tanks, long-range missiles, and F-16 fighter jets.
