Defense Minister Shoigu Says US Practices Nuclear Bombing Russia By Deploying 10 Strategic Bombers

Illustration of the United States B-52 H Stratofortress strategy bomber. (Wikimedia Commons/Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo)

JAKARTA - Russia's defense minister on Tuesday accused US bombers of rehearsing nuclear strikes against Russia from two different directions initially, complaining that the planes were only 20 kilometers from the Russian border.

Moscow's accusations come at a time of high tension with Washington over Ukraine, with US officials voicing concerns about a possible Russian attack on its southern neighbour, an assessment the Kremlin denies as false.

Meanwhile, Moscow accused the United States, NATO and Ukraine of behaving provocatively and irresponsibly, pointing to the supply of US weapons to Ukraine, Ukraine's use of Turkish drones against Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, to NATO military exercises near its borders.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had recorded a significant increase in the activity of the US strategic bomber, which he said had made 30 close flights to Russia this month.

According to him, the number is 2.5 times compared to the same period last year. Minister Shoigu specifically lamented what he said was a simulated US nuclear strike against Russia earlier this month.

"The defense secretary underlined, during the US military exercise 'Global Thunder', 10 American strategic bombers practiced launching nuclear weapons against Russia from the west and east," Shoigu said.

"The minimum proximity to our state border is 20 km," he continued.

Minister Shoigu said Russian air defense units had spotted and tracked the US strategic bomber, taking unspecified action to avoid an incident.

President Vladimir Putin talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru/Пресс-служба езидента Российской едерации)

A rebuttal soon came from the Pentagon, saying the drills were publicly announced at the time and adhered to international protocol.

"These missions were publicly announced at the time, and were carefully planned with (Strategic Command), (European Command), allies and partners to ensure maximum training and integration opportunities. As well as compliance with all national and international requirements and protocols." said Lieutenant Colonel Anton Semelroth, a Pentagon spokesman.

Top Russian and US military officers, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, spoke by telephone on Tuesday but neither side disclosed the contents of the conversation.

To note, this year's Global Thunder drills involved nuclear-capable B-52 bombers, are US Strategic Command's annual nuclear and commando drills designed to test and demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear capabilities.

Last week, President Vladimir Putin complained about Western strategic bombers carrying "very serious weapons" near Russia. He also said the West had taken the warning not to cross the 'red line' lightly.

Minister Shoigu made the comments in a videoconference with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. He said US bomber flights close to Russia's eastern border also pose a threat to China.

"Against this backdrop, Russian-Chinese coordination is becoming a stabilizing factor in world affairs," Shoigu said.

Russia and China agreed at their meeting to increase cooperation between their armed forces on strategic military exercises and joint patrols, the Defense Ministry said.