#文章首发挑战赛#
For your better reading and interactive experience, in order for you to see more content in time, click "Follow" We update wonderful stories and share different story moments for you every day
Text: Xu Xu.
Edited by Xu Xu.
Russia's announcement that it will hold non-strategic nuclear weapons exercises has sparked heated discussions around the world. For this "bombshell", to whom exactly was it thrown? NATO or Ukraine? Or is it just a bluff of psychological warfare? Let's find out.
Combat power display: the Russian army secretly engaged in "small actions"
Let's get straight to the point, let's take a look at the background of this exercise. According to the notice of the Russian Ministry of Defense, in accordance with Putin's order, the General Staff of the Russian army will hold a non-strategic nuclear weapons exercise, with the aim of strengthening the combat readiness of the units of this type of weapon. Don't underestimate these "little guys" with a range of 500 kilometers, although they are not big, Russia has a stockpile of about 2,000 non-strategic nuclear weapons, which are lethal enough to destroy entire cities. I think that the "little man" Hiroshima friend leveled the whole city with one shot, so these weapons must not be underestimated.
Who is it for? NATO or Ukraine
So exactly "dropped a bombshell at whom" in this exercise? For a while, there were different opinions. One interpretation is that this is a harsh nuclear deterrent unleashed by the Russian army on Ukraine, warning Ukraine not to resist uselessly. Another way of saying this is that the move is actually aimed at NATO. Recently, there have been reports that fighters from NATO countries have appeared on the front line in Donbass, and Russia is warning NATO not to intervene directly.
The timing is confusing
However, from an objective point of view, it is a little strange that the Russian army chose this time point to announce the exercise. At the end of last year, the Russian army's positions in Kherson and other important towns suffered frequent setbacks, and at that time, Western public opinion generally doubted that the Russian army would resort to nuclear weapons to save itself. However, at the beginning of 2024, the Russian army made a breakthrough in the Donbas region and was overwhelmingly superior, and the Ukrainian army was on the verge of rout on all fronts. In such a situation of preponderance, the need to use nuclear weapons seems less obvious.
Part of the psychological warfare?
So what is the purpose of the Russian army's "small move" this time? Some analysts pointed out that it cannot be ruled out that the Russian army deliberately released a signal for the use of nuclear weapons, with the intention of expanding the atmosphere of the war situation and exerting psychological impact, so as to smooth the morale of the Ukrainian military and accelerate its collapse in the Donbas region.
"It's scary to look at, but it's actually a powerless bluff. The Russian army just wants to rely on this 'bombshell' to deter NATO from meddling, and at the same time force Ukraine to admit defeat as soon as possible. "
Deep cause analysis
But then again, why did Russia choose to release such a "bombshell" at this time? Personally, I think there may be the following deep considerations:
First of all, since the start of the war in Ukraine, there have been speculations and concerns in the West that the Russian army will use small nuclear weapons on the battlefield. Therefore, Russia's move may be to expand the deterrence of war, so that the West can recognize the seriousness of the situation, so as to reduce the defense against the Russian army.
Second, as the war drags on, the mental attrition of both sides is increasing, and the Russian side may want to exert pressure to force the Ukrainian side to speed up the war to an end. After all, the existing superiority of front-line troops is only temporary.
Thirdly, it cannot be ruled out that the Russian side also has the consideration of showing its military strength to the domestic people. In this way, the discontent caused by the war in the country will be alleviated and the morale of the people will be boosted.
Fourth, although the Russian army currently has the upper hand, it is difficult to say how the future war situation will develop. Once the Ukrainian army cuts off the supply lines of the Russian army, the situation may be reversed. Therefore, Russia's announcement of this move may also be a foreshadowing for possible follow-up actions.
Risks and future directions
However, the cost of using nuclear weapons in any form would be enormous and incalculable. The misuse of nuclear weapons by either side will inevitably attract questions and criticism from international public opinion and sanctions, and may even lead to the expansion of war and endless bloodshed. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether the Russian side will actually use force in the end.
Correspondingly, NATO and the United States will also respond cautiously to avoid further escalation of the war situation and unexpected situations. It is foreseeable that both sides will step up their diplomatic mediation, act cautiously, and strive to contain the situation within a manageable range.
In general, the Russian army's move does release a strong military deterrent, but whether nuclear weapons will actually be used is likely to be just a bluff or a means of psychological warfare. However, in any case, the situation has escalated to a new level, and it is unlikely that the two sides will give in easily in the short term, and there is still a possibility that the situation will deteriorate further.
This incident quickly aroused heated discussions among netizens on the Internet, and some netizens believed:
Russia is a naked threat of nuclear weapons, it is simply a nuclear bomb, how can people believe that they are still rational? NATO should no longer show weakness, and it will have to strike when it is time to act!
Some netizens also think:
It stands to reason that Russia now has the upper hand and should be reluctant to risk using nuclear weapons. This kind of move is more like a kind of psychological warfare, suppressing Ukraine's fighting spirit and forcing it to comply as soon as possible. In any case, however, the cost of war is heavy, and both sides should strive for a peaceful solution.
Some netizens think:
From Russia's point of view, this kind of unwinding is actually a demonstration, a warning to NATO and Ukraine not to follow in the footsteps of the West too much, and it is also a demonstration of military power to the domestic population. Of course, it is difficult to say whether nuclear weapons will actually be used, after all, the cost is too great. However, once the war starts, the situation may spiral out of control, and we should still call for peace.
Looking back at the causes and consequences of the whole incident, it is not difficult for us to find that what Russia has dropped on the world is nothing more than a "mystery bomb" full of doubts. Is it bluff psychological warfare, or is it a real military threat? Is Russia targeting Ukraine, or is it a warning to NATO? Or is it due to internal needs? It's hard to generalize at the moment. However, one thing is certain, this "bombshell" has pushed the situation to a new height, and the two sides will certainly weigh the pros and cons step by step in the future. And as bystanders, should we also contribute to peace?