Putin's "invincible weapon" threats are attempt at psychological pressure on West
The Centre for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) has assessed statements by Russian leader Vladimir Putin about testing the nuclear-powered submarine complex Poseidon and the Burevestnik missile as an attempt to exert psychological pressure on the West.
Source: Centre for Countering Disinformation
Details: The CCD drew attention to the fact that Putin's claims about new "state-of-the-art" weapons emerged immediately after the United States introduced new sanctions against Russia's Rosneft and Lukoil companies.
Quote: "Putin's scare stories about his 'invincible' weapons are an attempt to put psychological pressure on the West. Moscow is trying to intimidate Ukraine's allies, particularly the US, to slow down military assistance and force the world to accept conditions for ending the war that favour Russia.
The sanctions have cornered Putin to such an extent that he's now recalling every Soviet and Russian missile, trying to frighten the world with nuclear weapons that Russia still wouldn't be able to use."
Details: The CCD emphasised that the Kremlin's threats are a reaction to growing isolation, economic pressure, and fear of the inevitable consequences of its own aggression.
Previously: On 29 October, Putin boasted to Russian forces that Russia had conducted tests of the Poseidon underwater complex, allegedly equipped with a nuclear power unit and supposedly impossible to intercept, claiming it has "no analogues in the world".
Background:
- On 26 October, Putin held a meeting with Chief of Russia's General Staff Valery Gerasimov on tests of the Burevestnik cruise missile with a nuclear power unit. He claimed the tests "once again confirmed the reliability of Russia's nuclear shield" and said that the Burevestnik is a "unique weapon that no one else in the world has".
- Putin's statement on missile testing came as US President Donald Trump announced sanctions against Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil. The US president also cancelled a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest.
- On 23 October, the European Union approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia.
- Back in 2022, Putin had ordered that Sarmat intercontinental missiles be put on combat duty, though media outlets reported five failed launches.
- Just weeks before the US presidential election, Putin amended Russia's nuclear doctrine in an attempt to intimidate the West amid discussions of authorising long-range strikes on Russian territory.
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