Russia's Nuclear Response: Putin Announces New Intermediate-Range Missiles Amidst Ukraine Tensions and NATO Concerns

Moscow, Russia, Moscow Oblast, Russia Russian Federation
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced production of new intermediate-range nuclear-capable missiles in response to US withdrawal from INF treaty and deployment of similar missiles.
Russia's summer offensive in Ukraine ongoing with gains being relatively small. West continues to support Ukraine with military funding and equipment packages.
US withdrawal from INF treaty marked significant shift in nuclear arms control, leaving only New START treaty limiting intercontinental weapons each nation can hold.
Russia's Nuclear Response: Putin Announces New Intermediate-Range Missiles Amidst Ukraine Tensions and NATO Concerns

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on June 28, 2024, that Russia would produce new intermediate-range nuclear-capable missiles. This announcement came in response to the United States' withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in 2019 and its deployment of similar missiles into training exercises in Europe and Asia. Putin claimed that Russia had upheld INF treaty provisions until US violations, but both the US and Russia suspended their participation in the treaty following these actions.

The United States' withdrawal from the INF marked a significant shift in nuclear arms control, leaving only one remaining treaty: New START, which limits intercontinental weapons each nation can hold and expires in February 2026. Putin's decision to produce new intermediate-range missiles could be seen as an attempt to counter the growing Chinese nuclear force and maintain Russia's strategic position.

Meanwhile, Ukraine signed long-term security agreements with the European Union (EU), Lithuania, and Estonia on June 27. Russian forces have been making gradual advances in various areas of Ukraine since May 2024, including near Siversk, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City. However, there is little likelihood of rapid gains for Russia due to the limited forces committed to these operations.

Despite tensions with the West over Ukraine and nuclear weapons development, Putin has not yet taken any direct actions against NATO or its allies. He has issued threats to retaliate if Russian sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened, but it remains unclear what specific measures he may take.

Russia's summer offensive in Ukraine is ongoing, with gains for Russia being relatively small. The West continues to support Ukraine with military funding and equipment packages as part of an effort to blunt the Russian push.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Is there any confirmation that the US has deployed similar missiles in Europe and Asia as stated?
  • What specific measures might Putin take against NATO or its allies if Russian sovereignty is threatened?

Sources

73%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Russia presses its offensive in Ukraine and issues new threats as the West tries to blunt the push

Politico News Site Name: POLITICO Full Legal Name of News Site: Politico LLC Location of News Site: Washington D.C., USA Saturday, 29 June 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Russian troops are forging through Ukraine’s defenses in a relentless onslaught, prompting the West to push for new weapons and strategies to support Kyiv.
    • President Vladimir Putin has issued new threats to retaliate against the West, either directly or indirectly, in response to the West’s efforts to blunt Russia’s offensive in Ukraine.
    • Russia signed a mutual defense pact with North Korea in June and hinted at potential arms supplies, raising tensions with NATO.
    • Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, stated that Moscow could arm any country considering the U.S. and its allies their enemies, regardless of political beliefs or international recognition.
    • Russia’s Defense Ministry warned it could take unspecified measures against U.S. drones over the Black Sea providing intelligence to Ukraine.
    • Putin reaffirmed that Russia will use ‘all means’ if its sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened, and is considering possible changes to its nuclear weapons doctrine.
    • Russia held military drills with battlefield nuclear weapons involving Belarus, underscoring potential changes in their nuclear doctrine.
    • A military defeat in Ukraine would deal a deadly blow to Russian statehood, and Putin vowed to press his goals ‘to the end.’
    • For Russia to halt the fighting, Ukraine must withdraw its troops from the four regions Moscow annexed in 2022 and abandon its bid to join NATO.
    • Some Russian commentators argue that Moscow should target NATO assets if Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia with longer-range Western missiles cause significant casualties.
    • Other analysts believe that such actions could lead to a direct conflict with NATO, which is not in Moscow’s interest.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Russian troops are forging through Ukraine's defenses in a relentless onslaught[
    • Russia signed a mutual defense pact with North Korea in June
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains several examples of deception through selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author quotes statements from various individuals that are used to support the narrative of an escalating conflict between Russia and the West, but fails to provide any context or counter-arguments. This creates a biased and one-sided view of the situation. Additionally, the author uses emotive language such as 'relentless onslaught' and 'dangerous escalation' to manipulate the reader's emotions and create a sense of urgency. There are also several instances where facts are presented in a way that is intended to deceive or mislead. For example, the author states that Russia illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, but fails to mention that this was following a referendum in which the majority of Crimeans voted to join Russia. This is an example of selective reporting and manipulation of facts.
    • He declared that for Russia to halt the fighting, Ukraine must withdraw its troops from the four regions that Moscow annexed in 2022, an idea Kyiv and its allies dismissed.
    • Moscow-based security analyst Sergei Poletaev said the Kremlin aims to steadily drain Ukrainian resources to force Kyiv into accepting a peace deal on Russia’s terms.
    • Russia's Defense Ministry warned it could take unspecified measures against U.S. drones over the Black Sea that provide intelligence to Ukraine.
    • Moscow-based defense analyst Vasily Kashin noted that while Ukraine already had used Western weapons to inflict limited damage, Putin will 'have to do something if there are cruise missile strikes deep inside Russian territory resulting in significant casualties.'
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The author makes several appeals to authority by quoting statements from President Putin and Russian officials. However, these statements do not constitute fallacies on their own as they represent the positions of the speakers. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing Russia's actions as an 'onslaught' and a 'relentless offensive.' While this language may be emotionally charged, it does not necessarily equate to a logical fallacy. However, there is one instance of a false dichotomy: the author states that Moscow could provide arms to North Korea and say that they have no control over what happens afterward - implying that this is an acceptable justification for providing weapons to a hostile nation. This statement presents a false choice between two options (providing weapons or having no control) when in reality, there are other alternatives available. Therefore, I find one fallacy in the article.
    • He declared that just as the West says Ukraine can decide how to use Western weapons, Moscow could provide arms to North Korea and “similarly say that we supply something to somebody but have no control over what happens afterward”
  • Bias (80%)
    The article contains multiple instances of Russian threats towards the West and NATO, which could be considered as monetary bias as Russia is portrayed as trying to retaliate against the West for providing weapons to Ukraine. Additionally, there are several quotes from Russian officials threatening escalation and using nuclear weapons if their sovereignty is threatened. These statements demonstrate a clear bias towards Russia's perspective and an emphasis on their potential response.
    • He also warned that Moscow was pondering possible changes to its doctrine that specifies when it resorts to nuclear weapons.
      • He declared that just as the West says Ukraine can decide how to use Western weapons, Moscow could provide arms to North Korea and “similarly say that we supply something to somebody but have no control over what happens afterward”
        • Putin said it was wrong for NATO to assume that Russia won’t use its nuclear arsenal, reaffirming it will use “all means” if its sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        95%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Institute for the Study of War

        Understanding War Saturday, 29 June 2024 19:55
        • Unique Points
          • Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the production and deployment of nuclear-capable short- and intermediate-range missiles on June 28, 2024.
          • Putin claimed Russia had upheld INF treaty provisions until US violations in 2019.
          • US suspended participation in INF on February 1, 2019, and withdrew on August 2, 2019.
          • Russia suspended its participation in the INF in response to US actions.
          • Putin cited two US bilateral military exercises as reasons for missile deployment: one with the Philippines in Northern Luzon on April 11 and one with Denmark near Bornholm.
        • Accuracy
          • ]Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the production and deployment of nuclear-capable short- and intermediate-range missiles on June 28, 2024.[
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        92%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, Map and Update June 27, 2024

        The Kyiv Post Unknown ISW Friday, 28 June 2024 07:55
        • Unique Points
          • Ukraine signed long-term security agreements with the EU, Lithuania, and Estonia on June 27.
          • Russian forces recently marginally advanced near Siversk, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City.
        • Accuracy
          • ]Russian forces have been sustaining offensive operations in the Toretsk direction since June 18.[
          • Russian troops are forging through Ukraine’s defenses in a relentless onslaught,
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        92%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Russia’s summer offensive in Ukraine already underway

        Army Technology Richard Thomas Thursday, 27 June 2024 16:50
        • Unique Points
          • Russia's summer offensive in Ukraine has already begun.
          • Gains for Russia are relatively small, between 20km² to 60km² in separate pockets.
        • Accuracy
          • Russian troops are forging through Ukraine's defenses in a relentless onslaught
          • Russia signed a mutual defense pact with North Korea in June and hinted at potential arms supplies
          • President Vladimir Putin directed the production and deployment of nuclear-capable short- and intermediate-range missiles
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        92%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Putin Vows to Make New Nuclear Missiles and Weigh Putting Them Near NATO Nations

        The New York Times David E. Friday, 28 June 2024 22:57
        • Unique Points
          • President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia announced on Friday that Russia would produce new intermediate-range nuclear-capable missiles
          • Putin did not provide a timetable for deploying the weapons, but blamed the US for bringing similar missiles into training exercises in Europe and Asia
          • The United States pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, ending a half-century of traditional nuclear arms control
          • Only one such treaty is left: New START, which limits intercontinental weapons each nation can hold and expires in February 2026
        • Accuracy
          • ]Russia will produce new intermediate-range nuclear-capable missiles[
          • Putin did not provide a timetable for deploying the weapons
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication