The Financial Times has obtained 29 secret military files from Russia, dating from 2008 to 2014, which show that Russia was planning a conflict with the West. These documents contain a list of at least 32 targets for missile strikes, including those that could be equipped with nuclear warheads.
The documents emphasize that “the high maneuverability of the fleet allows for sudden and preventive strikes, as well as massive missile strikes from different directions.” It is also noted that nuclear weapons are “usually” used “in combination with other means of destruction” to achieve Russia’s goals.
The targets of the Baltic Fleet are mostly located in Norway and Germany. These include the naval base in Bergen, Norway, radar stations and special forces facilities. According to the documents, the Northern Fleet can attack defense industry facilities, including the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, UK, where warships and submarines are built.
The maps also depict various war scenarios, including those with Russia’s current allies China, Iran, Azerbaijan, and North Korea.
In addition, the presentation considers the option of a demonstration strike – an explosion of nuclear weapons in a remote area “under the immediate threat of aggression” as a warning before a real conflict. This strike, according to the documents, should demonstrate “the availability and readiness to use high-precision non-strategic nuclear weapons” and “intentions to use nuclear weapons.”
The publication notes that these files show that, despite the 1991 agreement between the Soviet Union and the United States, Russia retained the ability to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on surface ships.
