Putin Show of Power: Russian Supersonic Missile Convoy Moved Amid Rising Tension Over Sweden's NATO Bid

Vladimir Putin appears to have indirectly reacted to NATO's acceptance of Sweden as a member state by orchestrating the transport of a convoy of Yars missiles to Moscow.

These missiles are being moved from the town of Teykovo in Russia's Ivanovo region to the capital, covering a distance of approximately 250 miles.

Known for their remarkable Mach 25 speed, Yars missiles can traverse about 19,000 miles in an hour, boasting a range of approximately 7,500 miles.

Described by the Daily Express as the "core element of ground-based attacks carried out by Russia's strategic nuclear forces," these missiles hold significant military importance.

The convoy's destination, the Alabino training ground in Moscow, is purportedly in preparation for President Vladimir Putin's annual Victory Day parade in Red Square, a tradition marking the defeat of Adolf Hitler in 1945.

The Kremlin often utilizes this occasion to showcase Russia's military prowess. Scheduled for early May, the Victory Day parade serves as a platform for Russia to demonstrate its military strength.

This display of military might follows Putin's recent ride in a supersonic Tu-160M strategic nuclear bomber, part of a series of actions seemingly aimed at intimidating Western nations.

With Hungary's approval being the final hurdle for Sweden's accession into NATO, Russia's timing in organizing this convoy suggests a deliberate message of hostility towards the alliance.

In a meeting between NATO and EU member states in Paris, French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron suggested the possibility of Western troops being sent to the Ukraine war, a statement contested by some participants.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov swiftly responded, warning of the "inevitable" prospect of direct conflict between Putin and NATO states if such actions were pursued.

The concern over Russia's threat is palpable in Sweden, where top defense officials have cautioned about the potential for war.

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Speaking at a defense conference, Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin urged citizens to join voluntary defense organizations in preparation for potential conflict.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson affirmed Sweden's commitment to meet NATO's defense spending target, with the country officially becoming the alliance's 32nd member following a parliamentary vote in Budapest.

Putin's flaunting of the Yars missile convoy could also be interpreted as a tactic to demoralize Ukraine amid ongoing military advances. Recent reports indicate Ukrainian forces retreating from the village of Lastochkyne, overwhelmed by Moscow's military superiority.