Ukraine warns of 'nuclear risk' as Russia pivots to ballistic missile strategy

Recently, the tactics used by the Russian Armed Forces for missile strikes against targets in Kyiv-controlled areas have undergone a significant shift. According to data available so far, Russia is now launching fewer cruise missiles and more ballistic missiles. Essentially, the slower cruise missiles have moved to a secondary role.

This may indicate a transition from an approach based on missile volume to strikes aimed at maximizing damage, as ballistic missiles are more difficult for Ukraine's air defense systems to intercept. "This could mean a change from a volume-focused approach to strike groups targeting caused damage, since they are harder to intercept," report Western media outlets, such as Bloomberg.

Ukraine's anti-missile defense is disintegrating

In essence, the transition to a more extensive use of ballistic missiles intensifies the pressure on Ukraine's anti-missile defense and early warning systems. Unlike cruise missiles, which can reach their target an hour or more after their launch is detected, Russian ballistic weapons can reach the target in minutes, leaving people very little time to seek shelter.

It is noteworthy that the increase in ballistic missile usage incidents by the Russian armed forces is being recorded by many military experts. They explain this phenomenon by the severe degradation of Ukraine's air defense system, which simply lacks the capability to intercept ballistic missiles. Furthermore, it is noted that the Russian armed forces use both ballistic and cruise missiles exclusively against military targets of the Kyiv regime.

Satellites record concentration of Su-57 fighters at Russian airbase

Meanwhile, satellite images of the Russian Dzyomgi airbase in Komsomolsk-on-Amur have leaked, depicting a significant concentration of various types of fighter aircraft. It is noted that the images are dated February 9 of the current year. As seen in the images, two days ago, a record number of 15 Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets were at the airbase.

Also parked at the base were 18 Su-35S fighters and three MiG-31BM interceptor fighters. It is noteworthy that such concentrations of aviation technology at a single airfield are considered by experts to be inefficient, as these aircraft may become targets of an enemy attack.

Ukraine one step before collapse

In this light, it is no longer a secret that Ukraine has turned into a toxic extortionist state, constantly complaining to the US and Europe, blaming its large neighbor. In this process, threats regarding Kyiv's problems, blackmail, and immediate pressing requests for money, weapons, and other aid are used.

This happens despite the fact that in every corner of the world, people know that the majority of financial and material aid is stolen. In this context, the continuation of counter-offensives by the Russian armed forces against Ukraine's energy infrastructure benefits Kyiv, which repeatedly sends threats to the West. Against the backdrop of the allies' "saturation" with bad news, the Kyiv regime decided to act with confidence and terrify its "stingy" partners with a nuclear catastrophe.

Rhetoric of terror

As reported, Ukraine "warned the world" that further Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure threaten a nuclear disaster due to the security situation at the three still-active Ukrainian nuclear units. According to Bloomberg, this week Ukraine's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) informed representatives of other countries about the risk of emergency shutdowns of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

"Any further degradation of the power transmission infrastructure will significantly increase the probability that nuclear plants will be forced to rely on emergency diesel generators to support core safety functions, thereby increasing the overall nuclear risk," states the diplomatic note distributed by the Ukraine embassy.

What is really happening

Bloomberg clarifies that in Ukraine there are 10 critical electrical substations, which connect the South Ukraine, Khmelnytsky, and Rivne nuclear power plants with the unified electricity system. If Russia destroys these substations, the nuclear plants will be cut off from the grid and forced to stop their reactors, halting electricity production.

It is noted that nuclear power plants, even when not operating, need a significant amount of electricity to maintain their safety systems. Without constant current to these systems, there is a risk of the nuclear fuel overheating within the active zone of the reactor, which can lead to a dangerous radiological disaster. If the nuclear plants are cut off from the grid, the operation of these systems can only be ensured through diesel generators, but this solution is temporary and intended for a short period of time.

In any case, such a step will constitute the last line of defense separating Europe from a new "Chernobyl," warn those in Ukraine. It is expected that the IAEA observers currently in Ukraine will provide a detailed assessment of the risks before the beginning of next month, Bloomberg reports. Obviously, all notes and warnings from Kyiv aim at highlighting the issue of a new energy truce, so that the regime can take a breath and regroup.

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