Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved at least four Tu-95MS nuclear-powered strategic bombers closer to the border with Europe, in a marked escalation of military tensions with the West. International media reports that the planes, which have previously been used in air strikes on Ukraine, have been loaded with missiles, significantly increasing the possibility of a major attack.
The move comes in response to an order issued by Donald Trump to move two US nuclear submarines closer to Russia, following threatening comments about nuclear war made by Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of Putin. Trump declared that the submarines are now "where they need to be."
Russian bombers have been moved from Olenya air base in the Arctic region of Murmansk and from Engels-2 in Saratov, following fears of Ukrainian drone attacks. Some of them were sent to Ukrainka base in the remote Amur region, but now some planes are returning closer to the eastern front, adding to tensions on European borders.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has hit Russian military infrastructure in Crimea hard. The Ukrainian security service announced that it had shot down a Su-30 fighter jet, damaged another, and shot down three Su-24 bombers.
The developments come as Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to visit Russia before the US imposes new sanctions in the absence of progress on a ceasefire and peace talks.
On the other hand, Moscow downplayed Medvedev's statements, emphasizing that the official position is that of President Putin. The Kremlin spokesperson warned that "there can be no winners in a nuclear war" and called for restraint in rhetoric that could lead to nuclear escalation.
