PUTIN’S NUCLEAR TESTS: BLUFF OR REAL THREAT?

Russia's new nuclear weapons tests have once again brought the question "Is this Putin's bluff, or a serious threat?" to the forefront of the global agenda.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Poseidon nuclear torpedo and the Burevestnik nuclear-powered guided missile had been tested. Putin described these weapons as "systems unmatched in the world". However, experts are skeptical about how technically feasible these weapons are. Past accidents in these projects also increase the risks.

According to experts, such statements are intended to cover up Russia's military weakness and send a political message to the West. Putin's announcement of these tests, especially after the war in Ukraine has stopped and US President Donald Trump's interest in peace talks with Russia has waned, is thought to be aimed at attracting attention and demonstrating power.

On the US side, following Putin's statements, Trump said that the US could also resume nuclear testing. This situation indicates that nuclear tensions could rise again between the two countries.

These developments also reveal several risks and challenges for both Russia and global security. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently drew international attention once again by announcing that his country had tested two new nuclear weapons systems, named Poseidon and Burevestnik. Putin claimed that the Poseidon nuclear torpedo and the Burevestnik nuclear-tipped guided missile are unparalleled in the world and that these weapons will give Russia a strategic advantage. However, military experts believe that these statements are more of a political show than technically credible.

Poseidon is described as a torpedo that can be launched from underwater, carries a nuclear warhead, and moves at high speed, while Burevestnik is presented as an "unlimited range" nuclear missile. However, experts point out that it is unclear whether these weapons actually work, recalling that past accidents, such as the 2019 explosion that killed five engineers, have raised questions about the safety of these projects.

According to experts, these statements can also be seen as an attempt by Russia to conceal its weakness in the war in Ukraine, where it has failed to achieve the desired progress. At a time when Moscow is experiencing serious human and resource losses on the ground, such "shows of force" send a psychological message to the Russian people and the West. Furthermore, US President Donald Trump's recent distancing from Russia-Ukraine peace initiatives and imposition of new sanctions are also seen as linked to Putin's statements.

Ultimately, Russia's new nuclear weapons tests are considered controversial both technically and as a political show of force. Although these developments are unlikely to change the course of the war in Ukraine, they are increasing concerns that they could lead to a renewed escalation of nuclear tensions globally.

References:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn40w7g2d2zo