News Feed

'A more dangerous Russia' — UK armed forces chief issues stark 'third nuclear age' warning

2 min read
'A more dangerous Russia' — UK armed forces chief issues stark 'third nuclear age' warning
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (right) watching Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers during the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in Camberley, Surrey, August 9, 2024 (Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)

The world faces the dawn of a "third nuclear age" in which Western democracies are threatened by "authoritarian states seeking to challenge the global rules," the head of the U.K.'s armed forces said on Dec. 4.

Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said "wild threats of tactical nuclear use" by Russia were one of the gravest concerns, along with its deepening alliances with North Korea and Iran.

"This year’s most extraordinary development was the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on the border of Ukraine," he said.

"Add to this the use of Iranian-supplied drones by Russian forces, and Russia’s threats to arm the Houthis in direct retaliation for Western support to Ukraine, and we are witnessing the world aligning into three groups."

Radakin said the first of these is the "authoritarian states" of Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea that sought to challenge and disrupt the global order.

The second is "the responsible nations of the world," while the third consists of countries such as India and Brazil who are "hedging and ducking between the two for maximum advantage."

Radakin added the third nuclear age — after the escalation of the Cold War, and then the disarmament efforts and counter-proliferation that followed — would be characterized by "proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies, and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before."

"From Russia we have seen wild threats of tactical nuclear use, large-scale nuclear exercises and simulated attacks against NATO countries, all designed to coerce us from taking the action required to maintain stability," he added.

Despite the dire warning, Radakin insisted there was only a "remote chance" Russia would directly attack or invade a NATO country due to the alliance's nuclear umbrella.

"Russia knows the response would be overwhelming, whether conventional or nuclear," he said, adding: "The strategy of deterrence by NATO works and is working.

"But it has to be kept strong and strengthened against a more dangerous Russia."

Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russia’s Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraine’s hand
The shock capture of Aleppo by Syrian forces opposed to Bashar al-Assad in recent days has dealt a humiliating blow to the regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, analysts have told the Kyiv Independent. The surprise offensive has also indirectly helped Ukraine, analysts say. “This is really quit…
Article image
Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed

Seaborne crude flows averaged 3.12 million barrels a day over the four weeks to July 6, a 3% decline from the previous period ending June 29, according to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. That's the lowest level recorded since the four-week period ending Feb. 23.

Show More