For the first time since the Cold War, Russia has deployed ships armed with tactical nuclear weapons in the Baltic Sea, according to the Norwegian Intelligence Service. The vessels are part of Russia’s Northern Fleet and are used to strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrent and regional forces. The importance of nuclear weapons for Russia has increased significantly due to weakened conventional capability, the report said. This marks the first time the Russian Federation has deployed them.
The Norwegian intelligence report also noted that ongoing tensions between Russia and the West could further increase Russia’s nuclear threat to NATO, citing the fact that “Russian decisions are characterized by a strong distrust of Western intentions.” It added that a localized conflict could turn into a wider war with “direct military involvement of Russia, the United States, NATO, and Norway.”
According to a 2022 report (pdf) by the Congressional Research Service, Russia’s nuclear forces are made up of both long-range, strategic systems—including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers—and shorter- and medium-range delivery systems. Additionally, the Kremlin is swiftly modernizing its nuclear forces and replacing Soviet-era systems with new missiles, submarines, and aircraft.
Norway’s Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram recently warned that Russia poses the biggest threat to the country as well as the rest of Europe, adding that Moscow’s confrontation with the West will be “long-lasting.” Despite the concerns, PST, the country’s domestic security service, said it does not believe it is likely that Russia will conduct any sabotage operation in Norway this year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also been urging Western nations to boost ammunition and other aid to the country as its ongoing conflict with Russia enters its one-year mark on Feb. 24. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg echoed the call on Feb. 14.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.