A military convoy sent by Vladimir Putin has been pictured heading towards the frontline on a train connected to a Russian defence division that handles nuclear weapons and maintains storage facilities
Pictures of a train carrying what looks to be military supplies for a Russian defence division responsible for nuclear weapons have surfaced online as the train makes its way to the front lines.
After annexing four regions of Ukraine where conflict is intense, Vladimir Putin has raised tensions by saying he is ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia.
The use of nuclear weapons is feared if Putin claims an attack on the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine would be an attack on Russian territory.
Videos shared on Telegram by pro-Russian channel Rybar show a convoy of BPM-97 armoured personnel carriers and other military equipment moving through central Russia.
According to reports, the Russian Army’s 12th Main Directorate, which manages nuclear weapons storage facilities, is in possession of modern gear, including mine proof armoury.
Defense expert Konrad Muzyka claims that the equipment belonged to the Russian Ministry of Defense’s 12th Main Directorate.
The directorate handles nuclear weapons, including their custody, upkeep, transportation, and distribution to different units.
There is a possibility that Putin is trying to frighten and threaten the West by bringing nuclear weapons to the front.
In response to the train footage, Mr. Muzyka tweeted, “Does that indicate that this video exposes preparations for a nuclear release?” In a word, no. Other, more plausible reasons exist.
He went on to say that the military hardware may be used for training purposes or as a message to the West.
Chechen leader and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov threatened to deploy low-yield nuclear weapons after Russia withdrew from the strategic city of Lyman in eastern Ukraine on Saturday.
The Kremlin, though, ruled it out as an option on Monday.
Ukrainian forces have pierced Russian defences in the south of the country and pushed eastward, retaking land in regions annexed by Moscow and endangering Russian supply lines in the process.
Ukrainian officials and a Russian-installed leader in the area reported on Monday that Ukrainian forces had made their biggest breakthrough in the south since the war began, recapturing numerous villages in an advance along the vital Dnipro River.
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