loading . . . CND is deeply concerned at the successful testing of Russia’s 9M730 Burevestnik nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable intercontinental cruise missile. It is reported that the missile flew 14,000-kilometres for over 15 hours, easily within reach of the US – and, of course Britain. In response, Donald Trump reminded Putin of the US nuclear submarines deployed “just off your shores”.
**This reckless nuclear brinksmanship is the latest serious escalation in the Ukraine War, in which greater numbers of long-range missiles, that can travel hundreds – if not thousands – of miles per hour, are being used.**
British Storm Shadow Missiles are still being launched by Ukraine, with the missiles hitting a Russian chemical plant, whilst Russian missiles and drones are destroying Ukrainian energy supplies. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has repeatedly pressed Trump for use of the US nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of around 2,000 kilometres, with a speed of over 500 mph, capable of reaching Moscow within about ten minutes. On 24 October, just two days after the test, British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, hosted a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ meeting on 24 October, pushing for greater supplies of long-range missiles for Ukraine. And the Trump administration is now starting preparation to site long-range missiles, including Tomahawks, at its US airbase in Wiesbaden, Germany next year.
The development and use of these missiles had been prohibited, under the ground-breaking Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), which came into force due to the mass demonstrations taking place in the 1980s against the stationing of US missiles in Europe and Britain. In 2019, following the Trump administration’s formal withdrawal from the Treaty, followed by Russia’s suspension of its own obligations, development of such missiles resumed. We are now seeing the consequences.
The Burevestnik test took place during Russia’s annual strategic military exercise, codenamed ‘Thunder’, on 22 October, which tests the effectiveness of its nuclear command chain. The drill included the launch of unarmed missiles from land, sea, and air platforms.
NATO’s annual nuclear exercises ‘Steadfast Noon’, went ahead at the same time. Described as ‘integral to maintaining readiness’, the operations were centred at NATO air bases that now deploy the new US nuclear B61-12 nuclear bombs, including Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands, Kleine-Brogel in Belgium, Skrydstrup in Denmark and Lakenheath in Britain. The stationing of these US nuclear weapons to include Lakenheath represents the first increase of US ‘tactical’ nuclear weapons in Europe since the Cold War.
**It feels like history is repeating itself.** Just last year, we all witnessed with growing horror the reckless escalation that took place when the US and Britain let Ukraine use its ATTCMs and Storm Shadow Missiles, despite Russia lowering its nuclear threshold precisely in response to such a scenario. But now, a huge NATO rearmament programme has been underway for over a year. New US nuclear weapons designed to be used on the battlefield are stationed across Europe and in Britain. And with Britain now expanding its nuclear capabilities, buying US nuclear-capable fighter jets so it can take part in NATO nuclear missions, this puts Britain all the more firmly on the nuclear frontline.
The evidence is overwhelming. Massive rearmament and increasing the destructive power of weaponry used in this conflict is not securing an end to the Ukraine war. Instead, it is increasing the risk of nuclear weapons being used. Recent simulations by Princeton University, show that these so-called ‘tactical’ US nuclear weapons, in an exchange with Russia, could lead to casualties of 2.6 million people within just a few hours. The horror of this cannot be overstated.
Yet instead of de-escalating the conflict, US military advisors like Fiona Hill, reviewer of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, argue that Britain should work with other NATO states in Europe to develop a missile defence system. But, as films like ‘House of Dynamite’ show, despite the hundreds of billions invested in the US missile defence system, it would likely offer no real protection.
NATO states must stop the military rearmament that is contributing to this latest escalation. Instead European leaders need to be engaging in regional dialogue, taking a common security approach, to reduce tensions and stop the nuclear threat. All avenues must be pursued to re-establish arms control agreements, like the INF, and sustain the START Treaty. The need for nuclear weapons states to meet their disarmament commitments have never been more urgent.
Here in Britain, our government is playing a particularly reckless role, whipping up tensions, pushing escalation and nuclear expansion. But as the wider consequences of this war drive unfold – accelerating climate breakdown, worsening the economic crisis and forcing through more public sector cuts – the opposition to war and nuclear threats is growing.
**Join CND’s day of discussion and activism on Saturday 22 November – ‘Stop nuclear expansion – halt the war drive’ in East London. Clickhere for more details and register today!** https://cnduk.org/burevestnik-test-shows-nuclear-frontline-getting-closer/
