As tensions rise over Russia’s growing threat to Europe’s security, fears of a wider conflict and the possible use of nuclear weapons remain ever-present.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vladimir Putin has repeatedly issued nuclear threats as a stark warning to the West for supporting Kyiv.
In recent years, Moscow has raised the alert status of its weapons, tested and deployed new nuclear systems, pulled out of major arms control treaties, and even announced plans to place tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus — the first time Russia has done so beyond its borders since the Soviet Union collapsed.
Although the most experts believe a nuclear war is unlikely, a leaked document has reportedly exposed a list of targets that Russia’s navy could strike with nuclear-capable missiles if a war with NATO were to break out of the 32 locations listed across in the UK.
According to the Financial Times, key targets in the UK reportedly include the Royal Navy’s submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, a possible industrial site near Hull in Yorkshire, and a secret location in Edinburgh.
Reports indicate that Russia’s Northern Fleet would be expected to strike defense industry sites in the UK, along with similar targets in Norway and Estonia.
The 32 targets were reportedly identified in 29 classified Russian military documents dating back to before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The Financial Times says the charts detailing these targets were part of a military briefing, and that the documents were provided by Western intelligence sources.
The documents also point to possible targets in Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, as well as in countries like Iran, Japan, and China if the conflict were to spread beyond Europe.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Kremlin reacted positively to Donald Trump’s remarks supporting Russia’s proposal to extend the last remaining nuclear arms deal with the United States.
