The Kremlin is now openly flirting with the logic of nuclear blackmail. The threat is no longer theoretical. The threat is turning into a real danger,’ said this serious warning by military experts in the Russian Federation about the scale of the ‘serious tendency’ which has been developing in the international security environment. The war over Ukraine has been going on for four years. The threat and rhetoric by the Russians are escalating, their military buildup is nearing the borders of NATO states, and the list of the United States as its targets in ‘nuclear attacks’ is being published in the official media in the Russian Federation.
This is no idle threat. These broadcasts, filled with pictures and the approximate times of the missile flights, mark a change in the general path the Russian Federation’s nuclear policy will probably move along: that of a limited and selective use of this weapon, one that takes a far more active, and not a passive, type of deterrence. For the politically percipient and the military buff, the significance to the strategic regional interests and the points where the US centrally locates its nerv system lies with the above checklist.
Below is an evaluation of ten of the most prominent facilities that have been targeted in state TV clips within Russia’s offerings, each standing for a facet of America’s defense structures and being incorporated into the toolkit of strategic communications by Russia.
1. The Pentagon: Symbol & Nerve Center
Located in Arlington, in the State of Virginia, the Pentagon serves as more than just the headquarters of its branch; it is the command center of the US military. It houses the Department of Defense; the Pentagon serves as the headquarters of the US Department of Defense. Russian media has typically featured the Pentagon as a target, symbolizing its strength as a center of American power. Its inclusion in threat mapping related to a nuclear assault makes sense in terms of the Cold War because assault targets against command-and-control facilities would detract from response capabilities. This explains that there is importance in the inclusion of the Pentagon because of its psychological impact.
2. Naval Station Norfolk: Largest Naval Base in the World
Naval Station Norfolk, based within the state of Virginia, is home to the greatest number of U.S. forces within the U.S. Navy and has tens of thousands of active military personnel and also continues operational air activities. It is the operational headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet. The relevance of Norfolk mentioned within the Russian media has to do with its strategic importance. The lack of this particular service would definitely go against US naval activities in the Atlantic and other places.
3. Kings Bay Submarine Base: The Maritime Side of the Nuclear Triad
Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, within the State of Georgia, symbolizes the naval leg of the nuclear triad. This facility was commissioned in the late 1970s as the largest peacetime building project within the U.S. Navy’s history, and since then, it has remained the homeport for their Ohio-class submarines. It is being prepared for their next Columbus-class submarine fleet, equipped with nuclear reactors that have a lifespan expected to cover the operational career of the vessels as well as stealth technology. The Kings Bay strikes are reflected in the actions of the Russians concerning strategic deterrence. A strike on this area can affect the viability of nuclear forces at sea, which plays an important role in the striking capability of the US.
4. Barksdale Air Force Base: Bomber Command
Barksdale Air Force Base is an airbase, which is situated inside the state of Louisiana. It houses the 2nd Bomb Wing bombing unit, which is a nuclear-capable bombing unit for the United States of America. The base is capable of holding B-52 Stratofortress bombers, which can carry both nuclear and conventional attacks. The Barksdale base mentioned on Russian state TV makes it clear that it is recognized for its contribution to long-range strike capability. Reducing its capability can reduce America’s nuclear strike capability by bomber force.
5. Whiteman Air Force Base – Stealth Bomber Operations
The whiteman air force base, which is located within the state of Missouri, is home to all the world’s B-2 stealth bombers. These aircraft are capable of bombing even with heavily protected air defenses. Mentioning Whiteman brings back to the Russian broadcasters the threat of stealth platforms for their strategic assets. The destruction of the base will deprive America of the most survivable nuclear weapon delivery platforms.
6. US Strategic Command Headquarters
US Strategic Command, also abbreviated as STRATCOM, based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, leads the command and operations for nuclear deterrence, global strike, and cyber defense. STRATCOM comprises the whole nuclear triad. Addition of STRATCOM in media reports by Russia is an indication of its relevance to matters concerning nuclear command and control. Lack of functionality might affect the chain of command in managing crises related to nuclear weapons at the USA.
7. VLF Array Lualualei: Submarine Communications
The Very Low Frequency Array in Lualualei, Hawaii, transmits commands to the submarines containing ballistic missiles in their basements. These station are important for ensuring that the communication channels to the hidden submarines stay for up to months. The strike on Lualualei is meant to target the link between the command authorities and the survivable component of the strategic nuclear triad.
8. Minot, Malmstrom, and Warren Air Force Bases
Minot Air Force Base located at North Dakota, Malmstrom Air Force Base located at Montana, and finally Warren Air Force Base located at Wyoming are very important places within the ground intercontinental missiles of America. They have Minuteman III missiles, which act as components of the strategic defense of America. Russian communication outlining these rendezvous paints the picture of the era when the Cold War was at its peak. These sites will be used for destroying the attack power of America associated with nuclear power.
9. Camp David and Former Defunct Sites
Camp David presidential retreat located at the state of Maryland is also listed among the Russian targets together with former operational sites, which have stopped operations. Among these is Fort Ritchie, which stopped operations in 1998 and finally McClellan Air Force Base, which stopped operations in 2001. Some observers believe that such action could be based on old intelligence and/or psychological tactics used by those who name the targets and try to warn Washington through the message that not even old and no longer-operating sites like these can be safely considered beyond the reach of target attack stories.
10. Naval Radio Station Jim Creek
“Jim Creek, some 60 miles from Seattle, serves communication support for Pacific U.S. submarine forces. The roles it plays supporting connectivity for strategic resources make it only logical that it be among those listed for attack target practice.” Identification of Jim Creek Naval Communication Stations within their coverage is evidence that Russian communication is very familiar with the type of infrastructures that the U.S. uses for its deterring policies. Naming of the sites is not something associated within their intentions but is actually within strategic performance acts. Identifying crucial sites within the whole covering of operational sites of the U.S. is actually an aspect of its power and intentions.
Identifying crucial sites within the coverage is an act within its power and intentions. Identifying crucial components of the U.S. operational sites within the coverage acts within their power and intentions. Identifying crucial sites within the coverage is actually an act within their power and intentions. Identifying crucial components of the U.S. within their coverage actually acts within their power and intentions. Identifying crucial components within the coverage is actually an act within their existing power and intentions. Identifying crucial components within their coverage actually indicates their power and intentions. Identifying crucial components within their coverage actually shows their power and intentions.
