How Russia’s nuclear-capable missiles are causing growing concerns for NATO

Tensions are rising between Russia and NATO countries as Moscow forms an Iskander missile brigade near Finland’s border. As a result, Poland is considering allowing NATO allies to deploy nuclear weapons to its soil in response to Russian threats on Monday, April 22.

The Iskander-M ballistic missiles deployed in Russia’s border adjacent to Finland — a new NATO member — are capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. The move by Moscow comes amid heightened concerns over Moscow’s military actions in the region and its war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Polish President Andrzej Duda has expressed willingness to host NATO nuclear weapons on its territory due to the nuclear threat posed by Russia. The statement from the Polish president comes as Warsaw continues to bolster its defense potential aggression from Russia. Duda also noted talks about nuclear cooperation between the United States and Warsaw have been ongoing “for some time.”

The NATO alliance sees Russia’s missile buildup near the border of Finland as a direct threat to the security and integrity of the region.

As NATO considers its options, a new aid package for Ukraine’s military was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, worth a total of $60.7 billion.

With the moves by Ukrainian allies, the Russian foreign minister accused the United States and its NATO allies of pushing for a “strategic defeat” of Moscow.

However, the Kremlin contended that new U.S. military aid would not change the outcome of the war in Ukraine, where Russia claims it has the upper hand. A Kremlin spokesperson said that the aid “will lead to new victims on the Ukrainian side.”

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed for Washington to finalize the aid package in U.S. Congress and get more weapons to Ukraine quickly.

“I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine and we will have a chance for victory,” Zelenskyy said.