09:59 06-08-2025

Russia Ends Missile Ban Amid Rising Nuclear Tensions

Analyst Rostislav Ishchenko links Russia’s new missile deployment and INF exit to rising nuclear tensions, citing NATO activities and shrinking decision-making time.

Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko has weighed in on Russia’s decision to lift its self-imposed ban on the deployment of intermediate- and short-range missiles. The move follows President Vladimir Putin’s recent announcement of the deployment of the first «Oreshnik» missile system.

According to Ishchenko, the newly unveiled Oreshnik is, in fact, an intermediate-range missile. He pointed out that short-range systems like the Iskander have already been stationed in the Kaliningrad region for some time. Russia, he noted, has repeatedly stated that the INF Treaty is no longer in effect-an agreement it accuses the West of violating.

He explained that one of Moscow’s long-standing concerns has been the U.S. missile defense installations in Poland. Although intended for interceptors, these launchers are capable of firing medium-range cruise missiles-missiles that had previously been withdrawn from Europe under the INF Treaty, as part of a reciprocal arrangement for dismantling the Soviet Union’s RSD-10 «Pioneer» missiles.

In Ishchenko’s view, Russia’s formal withdrawal from the INF framework signals a broader escalation of geopolitical and nuclear tensions.

He pointed to the ongoing training of German pilots by the United States in the use of American B61-12 nuclear bombs as further evidence of this growing strain. From the analyst’s perspective, there’s little ambiguity about the intended target of these weapons-NATO’s primary adversary in Europe remains Russia.

Ishchenko also recalled the recent deployment of French nuclear-capable fighter jets to Germany, which he said was openly acknowledged by French President Emmanuel Macron around two months ago. Similarly, the relocation of U.S. nuclear bombs to the United Kingdom is viewed by him as part of the same pattern.

He warned that these developments are rapidly lowering the threshold for nuclear confrontation. The Russian government, he emphasized, has repeatedly raised alarms about the shrinking window for deliberation and response in the event of a perceived threat.

«Where there was once time for reflection and consultation," Ishchenko said, «decisions now may have to be made in minutes-raising the risk of a miscalculated or accidental nuclear exchange.»

He concluded by drawing a comparison to the Cold War tensions of the 1970s and 1980s, noting that although the Soviet Union survived that volatile era, there is no guarantee history will repeat itself with the same outcome.