Russia, European Nuclear Attack Drills... South Korea Also Marked as a 'Potential Target'

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia [Image source=Yonhap News]

The British daily Financial Times (FT) reported on the 13th that the Russian Navy has been conducting drills involving nuclear missiles targeting Europe. South Korea was also marked as a target.

According to the report, the Russian Navy has been conducting such drills in preparation for potential conflicts against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Presentation materials for Russian officers before the outbreak of the Ukraine war in February 2022 include maps targeting the French west coast and Barrow-in-Furness in the United Kingdom.

These classified files appear to have been created between 2008 and 2014. The maps show 32 sample NATO targets within Europe for the Russian Navy fleet.

The scenario reportedly also includes wars with Russia's allies such as China, Iran, Azerbaijan, and North Korea, according to FT.

In particular, the maps indicate one potential target in South Korea and several locations in China and Japan.

According to these materials, Russia also has the capability to transport nuclear weapons via surface ships.

The tactical nuclear weapon carriers mentioned include "anti-submarine missiles equipped with nuclear warheads mounted on surface ships and submarines," and "ships and coastal-based surface-to-air guided missiles equipped with nuclear warheads to destroy enemy air defense groups."

The materials also mention demonstration strikes, which involve launching nuclear weapons in remote areas during a period of 'imminent threat of attack' before an actual conflict occurs, intended to intimidate the West.

Experts explained that these documents align with NATO's assessment of the Russian Navy's long-range missile threat and the possibility of Russian nuclear use.

FT stated that the tactical nuclear weapon drills implemented under the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin demonstrate that these documents still correspond with current Russian military doctrine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.