Naval News recently reported that Russia has deployed a nuclear submarine near the waters of Italy and Greece. This is a highly unusual move since Russia generally refrains from deploying its nuclear assets near Europe.
Russia unleashes nuclear threat on Turkey
But it seems like NATO’s incessant provocation has finally forced Russia into changing its mind. It must be noted that NATO allies including US and Turkey had carried out joint military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea. Russia obviously saw this as military provocation and now has made a retaliatory move.
This comes at a time when Greece and Turkey are already locked in an intense dispute over the Aegean Sea. Greece and Russia are strategic allies, and thus, Putin’s nuclear build up near Turkish borders could really set the alarm bells ringing in Ankara. After all, Russia’s nuclear submarines are armed with 24 powerful Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) supersonic anti-ship missiles. These are capable of both anti-ship and land-attack missions.
Russia’s startling presence in the Adriatic Sea
With the mounting of this nuclear threat, Putin has effectively completed the strategic encirclement of Europe. Last month, it was reported that Russian navy was seen prowling in the Adriatic Sea and reportedly confronted the Italian Navy. It closed in on USA’s aircraft carrier “Truman” and limited its movement.
Geographically speaking, the Adriatic Sea lies between Italy and the Balkan states. Russia reportedly wanted to stretch its maritime influence from the Gulf of Venice to the strait of Otranto. Given that this area is the one closest to both Kosovo and Ukraine, this was undoubtedly Vladimir Putin’s shrewd geopolitical move.
Read More: Russian Navy enters Europe’s backyard; nightmare comes true for Ukraine and Kosovo
War comes at Great Britain’s doorsteps
Similarly, the Russian navy recently deployed its deadly assets in UK’s front yard. At least three Russian navy ships were seen breathing fire down UK’s neck as they prowled in the Irish Sea.
Under international law, Russia is allowed to sail through the Irish Sea as long as it remains outside Irish and UK territorial waters, which extend about 22 kilometres off each country’s coast.
However, the route opted by Russian warships was completely unconventional and presumably a direct threat to UK for its brazen actions against Moscow.
Read More: War comes to Great Britain’s doorsteps
Russia’s message is loud and clear
Simply put, Russia is strategically intensifying its naval presence in Europe’s North, South and Southeast, a move aimed at reining in NATO’s military outreach in the backdrop of the Ukraine war.
Nations like UK and Turkey have for long pursued their foreign and defence policy in USA’s favour in order to undermine Russia’s interests. Even after the Ukraine war, UK was the one that discouraged Ukraine from having peace talks with Russia, while Turkey actively supported Ukrainian military with its Bayraktar drones. It seems like the day of reckoning for the NATO allies has finally come.
With its strategic encirclement, Russia’s message to Europe and NATO is loud and clear: The Kremlin will no longer exercise restraint should they keep poking it in the eye. European nations like Hungary, Greece and Cyprus already owe their allegiance to Russia. And once a military confrontation breaks out, Russia will only witness its strategic influence getting expanded in Europe at the West’s expense.
