Analysis refutes claims of nuclear weapons at RAF Akrotiri

Fact Check Cyprus has released an analysis refuting claims made by journalist Andreas Paraschos that 56 nuclear weapons are stored at the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. Paraschos alleged the presence of these weapons, linking them to recent NATO activity and a US travel advisory, but his original report was removed by the website Offsite due to a lack of evidence. Fact Check Cyprus argues that the figure of 56 is an anachronistic reference to Cold War-era infrastructure designed for the British V-Bomber fleet in the 1960s. The report emphasizes that the existence of historical hangar and runway infrastructure does not equate to the presence of current nuclear warheads. Furthermore, Britain withdrew its last air-delivered nuclear weapon, the WE.177, in 1998 and now relies exclusively on the submarine-based Trident missile system. Fact Check Cyprus noted that the RAF is no longer certified to handle nuclear weapons, and existing nuclear storage sites in Europe are restricted to six specific bases in five other countries. Paraschos has declined to name his sources, citing journalistic confidentiality.