The situation at a glance: USA reacts calmly to Russian nuclear maneuvers

The US Department of Defense reacted calmly to a Russian exercise with strategic nuclear weapons against the backdrop of Moscow’s war of aggression against Ukraine. According to the Pentagon’s understanding, this is a planned exercise, said a ministry spokesman. “So it’s no surprise.” There is currently no change in Russia’s stance on the use of nuclear weapons that would require a change in its own position.

Previously, Russia, which has massively intensified its rhetorical and military threats since the beginning of the war, began another maneuver with its strategic nuclear weapons. The possible use of nuclear weapons is the ultimate means of ensuring the country’s security, said President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin. He followed the exercise via video link and announced the test launch of rockets during the maneuver.

Russia will not get involved in a nuclear arms race, Putin said in Moscow. But it will continue to perfect its strategic forces. The means for this are available. Russian ICBMs would be equipped to overcome enemy air defenses.

The relationship between nuclear power Russia and Western countries, which has already been tense for years, has deteriorated even further as a result of the war of aggression ordered by Putin in February 2022. During the course of the war, the head of the Kremlin publicly reminded Russia several times that Russia could use nuclear weapons in the event of a threat to its existence. These threats were primarily intended to deter other countries from supporting Ukraine.

Ukrainian military: situation on the front tense

According to its own statements, the Ukrainian military remains under heavy pressure in the east of the country. The general staff in Kiev said in its evening situation report that the situation was particularly tense on the two front sections near Kupyansk in the northeastern Kharkiv region and Kurakhove in the south of the Donetsk region. In total there were 158 battles during the day.

In the Kupyansk area, a strategically important railway junction on the Oskil River, Russian troops made 22 advances. The General Staff said 17 attacks had been repelled, the other attacks were still ongoing.

“The enemy continues to direct its main efforts towards the Kurachowe area,” the situation report said. There were 42 battles there, 32 of which are said to have been repelled so far. In the neighboring Pokrovsk sector of the front there is talk of fighting around the town of Selydove. The Russian military had previously announced the capture of the city. As a rule, the information provided by both warring parties can hardly be verified independently.

Minister of State for Culture Roth affected by war damage

During a visit to the southern Ukrainian port metropolis of Odessa, Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Alliance 90/The Greens) was affected by the destruction. “This is a war that is specifically directed against culture, against the cultural identity of Ukraine,” she told the German Press Agency on the second day of the trip. Roth had previously viewed damage to the Transfiguration Cathedral, the House of Scientists and the Literary Museum caused by Russian shelling.

More drone attacks at night

Both warring parties reported drone attacks on their own territory again during the night. According to Russian authorities, the power went out in six towns in the Belgorod border region after a drone attack. There were no deaths or injuries. There were also air alerts in the neighboring Kursk and Bryansk regions. In Bryansk, the anti-aircraft defense shot down a drone, said Governor Alexander Bogomas.

There were air alerts again in numerous regions of Ukraine. Russia is attacking from both the north and south with Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones, Ukrainian air defense officials said. Those affected included the regions of Sumy, Chernihiv and Kharkiv on the border with Russia, but also the Black Sea region of Zaporizhia and the eastern Ukrainian industrial region of Dnipropetrovsk.