by Harley Schlanger, LaRouche Organization:

On May 21, Tass news service confirmed that Russian forces will begin military exercises near its border with Ukraine, to simulate loading tactical nuclear warheads onto delivery vehicles. These will include Iskander tactical missiles and hypersonic Kinzhal missiles. There has been no confirmation as to whether the exercises will include test-firing of the missiles.

The Tass dispatch explained that these exercises are a response to “the provocative statements made by western officials”, specifically citing the green-light given to Ukraine by British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to use long-range missiles provided by the U.K. to hit targets in Russia. Following a previously-unannounced meeting with President Zelensky on May 21, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken indicated that the U.S. may follow suit, and lift its ban on using U.S.-supplied weapons to hit Russia.