Who maintains control of Russia’s 6K nukes during Wagner Group uprising is main concern of global defense leaders: Ex-US official
America — and the world — should remain vigilant over the uprising in Russia due to the Kremlin’s hold of nearly 6,000 nuclear warheads, warned Gen. Frank McKenzie, who led the US Central Command before retiring last year.
“That’s the one thing that could affect us badly if there was a problem with that,” McKenzie told NBC News Saturday morning as Wagner mercenaries continue their march to Russia’s capital.
“I think everybody’s going to be very interested in assuring Russian nuclear command and control and aside from that, is Putin still calling the shots?”
While McKenzie steered clear of picking a side in the conflict, he noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a “known actor,” who world leaders have grown accustomed to predicting and working with.
A sudden change of power could swing global politics out of control, with the worry of world-altering events possible given Russia’s vast nuclear arsenal.
McKenzie, however, noted that Russia’s nuclear defense system is heavily guarded, so there would be no immediate threat if the Kremlin were to fall.
“Grabbing a nuclear weapons storage depot doesn’t mean you’re going to be able to deploy nuclear weapons. It’s far more complex and protected than that,” he said.
Moscow mayor warns residents not to go to work on Monday as Wagner Group nears
The mayor of Moscow declared Monday, June 26, a nonworking day in the city on Saturday in light of the impending threat from the Wagner Group rebellion.
All residents are urged to remain at home Monday, with the exception of essential workers, the Washington Post reported.
“A counterterrorist operation regime has been declared in Moscow. The situation is difficult,” Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote on Telegram on Saturday.
He confirmed that traffic could also be blocked in certain areas in the capital to “minimize risks.”
As of Saturday, Russian forces had also reinforced security on the main highways leading to the city, state-owned RIA Novosti said.
The agency added that a checkpoint with several armored personnel carriers, military trucks and grenade launchers had been deployed on the southern edge of the city.