Special to WorldTribune.com

Russia for the first time in the Syria conflict used submarine-launched cruise missiles which President Vladimir Putin said at some point could be equipped with nuclear warheads.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed on Dec. 9 that Kalibr cruise missiles had been fired by the submerged Rostov-on-Don submarine from the Mediterranean Sea at Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) targets in Raqqa.

“With regard to strikes from a submarine. We certainly need to analyze everything that is happening on the battlefield, how the weapons work,” Putin said. “Both the [Kalibr] missiles and the Kh-101 rockets are generally showing very good results. We now see that these are new, modern and highly effective high-precision weapons that can be equipped either with conventional or special nuclear warheads.

“Naturally, we do not need that in fighting terrorists, and I hope we will never need it. But overall, this speaks to our significant progress in terms of improving weaponry and equipment being supplied to the Russian army and navy.”

Shoigu said the United States and Israel were informed before the strikes were launched.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shrugged off suggestions in the media that Moscow might use nuclear weapons on terrorists.

“Of course not, and the president has stated this, that there is no need to use any nuclear weapons against terrorists, as they can be defeated through conventional means, and this is fully in line with our military doctrine,” Lavrov said.

  Kalibr cruise missiles, Putin confirms sub-launched cruise missile strike, raise prospect of nuclear warheads, raises prospect of nuclear warheads, Raqqa, Sergei Shoigu, WorldTribune.com