Ukraine Strikes Heart of Russian Nuclear Warning System: Crossing the Line?

As reported by Ukrainian Pravda, information from Ukrainian intelligence suggests that Kyiv launched an attack on the long-range radar 29B6 in Mordovia, a key part of the nuclear warning system. According to Newsweek, such an action by Ukraine might be interpreted as crossing one of Moscow's "red lines."

The strike took place on Wednesday, April 17. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense indicates that the operation targeted the radio-technical center of military unit 84680, situated in Kovylkino, Russia.

The Radar 29B6 "Container" in Kovylkino can detect objects up to 1,864 miles away and at an altitude exceeding 62 miles. Drones were used in the attack on this radar, a critical component of the air attack warning system.

Last Wednesday, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had shot down a drone near this location. Artem Zdunov, governor of the Republic of Mordovia, confirmed that a facility was hit by an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Drones have been deployed to Mordovia before, notably on April 11. The Astra channel on Telegram reported that the same military facility was targeted—a building, previously a command post, sustained damage during that attack.

A video circulated on social media shows the aftermath of the strike, with audible explosions and visible smoke plumes. The distance from the Ukraine border to the strike location is approximately 422 miles.

Newsweek suggests that Ukraine's assault on the Russian early warning system could be seen as a significant violation of the Kremlin's "red lines."

The magazine notes that, should the radar be compromised, Russia might view it as an act that justifies considering the use of nuclear weapons under a condition outlined in a Russian government decree. It pertains to hostile actions against Russia's vital national or military assets, the disruption of which could impede the nuclear forces' retaliatory capabilities.

As Newsweek points out, the loss of early warning systems could hinder the accurate detection of ballistic missile launches or the employment of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against the Russian Federation and its allies.

In 2019, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Mordovia's "Container" radar enhances its ability to monitor aircraft carrier operations in the Baltic, Black, and Mediterranean Seas and detect hypersonic missile launches targeting Russia.

Nuclear warning systems are sophisticated defense mechanisms that detect and respond to potential nuclear threats. They rely on ground-based radars and satellite networks to identify missile launches, especially those of intercontinental range or launched by submarines. Upon detecting a possible attack, the system assesses the missile's path and intended target to determine the threat level and issue timely warnings.