US speeds up storing upgraded nukes in Europe: Report

The United States has reportedly accelerated plans to deliver a more accurate version of its mainstay nuclear bomb to NATO bases in Europe.

Citing a US diplomatic cable and two people familiar with the issue, Politico reported on Wednesday that the arrival of the upgraded B61-12 air-dropped gravity bomb, originally slated for next spring, is now planned for this December.

US officials, the report said, told NATO allies during a closed-door meeting in Brussels this month.

The B61 is a family of nuclear bombs first developed in the early 1960s and initially demonstrated in underground nuclear tests in Nevada.

A dozen versions have been developed over the decades and most of them have since been retired.

The move comes amid heightened tensions between the West and Russia over what the US and its allies brand as Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

In an emailed comment to the newspaper, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, however, said that the replacement of the older-generation B61 bombs for the B61-12 version is “part of a long-planned and scheduled modernization effort.” 

"It is in no way linked to current events in Ukraine and was not sped up in any way,” Ryder said.

According to Politico, the US document says that during the meeting in Brussels, 15 NATO allies raised concerns that the alliance “must not give in to [Russian President] Putin’s nuclear blackmail.”

“Given the rising volume and scale of Russia’s nuclear rhetoric, a subset of allies requested continued consultations at NATO to ensure continued readiness and consistent messaging,” the cable adds.

Yet analysts warn that any nuclear-related moves could have unintended consequences.

“It could be escalatory. We’ll see,” said  Tom Collina, director of policy at the Ploughshares Fund, a disarmament group.

Biden: Russia would be making ‘serious mistake’ to use nuclear weapon

US President Joe Biden warned Russia against using a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine.

For months, US officials have repeatedly warned of the possibility of Russia using weapons of mass destruction in Ukraine. However, the officials conceded that they have seen no change to Russia's nuclear forces that would require a change in the alert posture of American nuclear forces.

Russia launched a military campaign in Ukraine in late February, following Kiev’s failure to implement the terms of the 2014 Minsk agreements and Moscow’s recognition of the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Putin said earlier that he will “protect our land using all our forces and means at our disposal, and will do everything to ensure people’s security.

Russia on Tuesday warned that Ukraine was preparing to use a “dirty bomb,” which is an explosive device laced with radioactive material. Ukraine has denied any attempt to use such a weapon.

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