EDITORIAL | As Putin Ramps Up Nuke Threats, Support for Ukraine More Vital

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As Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his invasion of Ukraine, he is stepping up his threats to employ nuclear weapons.

Putin revealed that the missile used by the Russian military in the attack on Ukraine on November 21 was the Oreshnik, meaning "hazel tree." It is a medium-range ballistic missile currently under development. Equipped with six warheads, the experimental missile flew about 900 kilometers from its launch site in Russian territory with a maximum speed of Mach 11. The attack was carried out using a non-nuclear warhead. However, the same missile can be equipped with a nuclear warhead.

The attack using the Oreshnik also represents a nuclear threat to the world, including Japan. In no way can this reprehensible attempt at intimidation be condoned.

An image released by the Ukrainian Air Force in August purportedly showing an attack on a Russian command post in the Kursk region of western Russia using U.S.-made weapons (provided by the Ukrainian Air Force via Reuters/Kyodo)

Putin's Backwards Claims

Putin claimed that the test was a success. He said it was in retaliation for Ukraine's attacks on Russian territory using American-supplied surface-to-surface missiles such as the ATACMS.

However, it seems that the United States government finally granted Ukraine permission to use the ATACMS to attack Russian territory. The reason was largely due to Russia's outrageous decision to allow North Korean soldiers to join the war. Responsibility for the escalation of the conflict lies solely with Russia.

The appearance of the Oreshnik evokes the earlier threat posed by the SS-20 medium-range ballistic missile that the Soviet Union deployed in the mid-1970s. Such nuclear missiles were deployed by the Soviet Union within its own borders. They could reach Europe but not the United States, aiming to divide the US and European allies. That led to European countries having serious concerns that the US nuclear umbrella would lose its effectiveness.

Moscow also positioned SS20s in the Soviet Far East.

*Remains of a missile determined to be a North Korean KN-23, seen in Kyiv, Ukraine, January (©Kyodo News)*

Threatens Europe, but also Asia

Putin's brandishing of the Oreshnik is an obvious and blatant threat to the US and Europe. However, it could also be directed at Japan and China.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Alexeyevich Ryabkov declared on November 25 that there are now "no restrictions" on the deployment of the Oreshnik missiles because the US-Russia Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the INF, has expired. He also stressed that Moscow would not rule out the possibility of deploying short- and medium-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.

Earlier on November 19, Putin signed a presidential decree amending the guidelines for the use of nuclear weapons. Previously the guidelines permitted the use of nuclear weapons in certain situations in response to a conventional attack on Russian soil. The latest revision adds that they can also be used in the event of a large-scale launch of weapons such as drones or cruise missiles into Russia. It further allows the use of nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear country that has received support from a nuclear power.

Such reckless nuclear threats are proof that Russia finds itself in a difficult position and has no vision for the future. Continued support for Ukraine is vital now more than ever.