Putin launches drills simulating retaliatory strikes against Russia’s nuclear forces

Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a massive exercise of the country’s nuclear forces that includes missile launches in a simulation of a retaliatory attack, as he continues to increase the country’s nuclear power amid rising tensions with the West over Ukraine.

Speaking in a video call with military leaders, Putin said the exercises will simulate the use of nuclear weapons by senior officials and will include the launch of nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.

Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated that the exercise was aimed at exercising “strategic strike forces launching a massive nuclear attack in response to the enemy’s nuclear attack.”

Mr. Putin, who has repeatedly brandished the nuclear sword to deter the West from increasing its support for Ukraine, insisted on Tuesday that Russia’s nuclear arsenal remains “a reliable guarantor of the country’s sovereignty and security.”

“Given the increasing geopolitical tensions and emerging new threats and risks, it is important for us to have modern strategic forces that are always ready for combat,” he said, reaffirming that Russia views the use of nuclear weapons as “the ultimate and extreme measure to ensure security.” its security”.

Putin stated that Moscow will continue to modernize its nuclear forces, deploying new missiles that have higher precision, faster launch times and increase the ability to bypass missile defenses.

As part of Tuesday’s exercises, the military tested the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk launch pad at the Kura test range on the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Defense Ministry said.

The Novomoskovsk and Knyaz Oleg nuclear submarines tested ICBMs from the Barents Sea and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, while nuclear-capable Tu-95 strategic bombers conducted test firings of long-range cruise missiles.

The ministry said all missiles reached their designated targets.

Last month, the Russian leader warned the United States and its NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range weapons in strikes deep into Russia would plunge NATO into war with his country.

He reinforced the message by announcing a new version of the nuclear doctrine that treats a conventional attack on Russia by a non-nuclear country, backed by a nuclear power, as a joint attack on its own country; A clear warning to the US and others. Kiev’s allies.

Mr. Putin also explained that the revised document foresees the possible use of nuclear weapons in the event of a major air strike and keeps the door open to a possible nuclear response to any air strike; This is an uncertainty aimed at deterring the West.

Tuesday’s maneuvers followed a series of other exercises by Russia’s nuclear forces.

Earlier this year, the Russian military held a joint nuclear exercise with Moscow’s ally Belarus, which hosts some of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons.