Russia slams US deployment of new nukes in Europe, vows response

Russia has denounced rapid deployment of modernized US B61 tactical nuclear weapons at NATO bases in Europe, saying the move would lower the “nuclear threshold” and prompt Moscow’s revision of its military plans.

"We cannot ignore the plans to modernize nuclear weapons, those free-fall bombs that are in Europe," RIA news agency Saturday quoted Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko as saying.

"The United States is modernizing them, increasing their accuracy and reducing the power of the nuclear charge, that is, they turn these weapons into 'battlefield weapons', thereby reducing the nuclear threshold," Grushko added, suggesting reactive measures.

The development came after Politico reported Friday that Washington declared during a meeting of the US-led NATO military alliance that it would accelerate the deployment of a modernized version of the B61 -- the B61-12 -- with the new weapons arriving at European bases in December, several months earlier than planned.

The 12-ft B61-12 gravity bomb carries a lower yield nuclear warhead than many earlier versions but is more accurate and can penetrate below ground, according to a research study conducted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Russia, meanwhile, maintains nearly 2,000 “working tactical nuclear weapons,” according to Western press reports, which note that the US has around 200 such weapons, half of which are at bases in Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Earlier this month, US President Joe Biden warned of the risk of nuclear "Armageddon" amid Washington’s persisting campaign accusing Moscow of planning to use nukes against Ukraine.

Biden warns of 'Armageddon', Russia slams nuclear 'first strike' comments

US President Joe Biden warns of the risk of "Armageddon" as the Ukrainian president calls for "preventive" strikes against Russia.

“We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis,” Biden proclaimed in remarks on October 6, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of threatening to use nuclear, biological and chemical weapons to make up for his nation's "under-performing" army.

He made the remarks after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said NATO should first launch preventive strikes against Russia.

Meanwhile, the US Defense Department announced on Friday that it will provide Ukraine with $275 million weapons package that includes more High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, various types of 155 mm artillery rounds, anti-armor systems, small arms ammunition and four satellite communications antennas.

Pentagon announces new military aid for Ukraine to fight Russia

The Pentagon has announced it will provide millions of dollars more in military assistance for Ukraine to help it fight with Russia.

"We're seeing Ukrainian infrastructure and electrical grids being targeted by the Russians and these antennas provide an additional capability on the ground at a critical time when Ukraine's infrastructure is being hit," Pentagon’s Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said during a press briefing.

The latest aid package brings Washington's total security assistance commitments for Ukraine to more than $18.5 billion since early 2021, and nearly $18 billion since Russia launched a military operation in February.

Russia has repeatedly warned that supplying Kiev with more and more weapons will only exacerbate the conflict, which is now in its ninth month.

Moscow also revealed last week that a large portion of the weapons provided to the Kiev regime by the US and its allies was headed to the black market and then into the hands of extremist and criminal groups in the Middle East, Central Africa and Asia.

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