Amid escalating tensions with the West over Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated a drill of the country’s nuclear forces, including missile launches to simulate a retaliatory strike.
Putin emphasized the importance of maintaining modern and constantly prepared strategic forces in response to growing geopolitical tensions and new external threats.
The purpose of the exercise, as explained by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov to Putin, was to practice executing a massive nuclear strike in retaliation against an enemy’s nuclear attack.
This comprehensive drill involved Russia’s full nuclear “triad” consisting of ground, sea, and air-launched missiles.
Various missiles were launched during the exercise – an intercontinental ballistic missile from Plesetsk Cosmodrome to Kamchatka, ballistic missiles from submarines, and cruise missiles from strategic bomber planes.
The timing of this missile exercise coincides with critical developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict following Russian warnings about potential responses if Kyiv targets Russia with longer-range missiles.
NATO recently claimed that North Korea deployed troops in western Russia; however, Moscow has not confirmed this. Putin also mentioned that Moscow’s treaty implementation with Pyongyang is its internal matter.
Russian officials believe that the ongoing war is entering its most perilous phase as Western nations contemplate supporting Ukraine while Russian forces make advances in eastern regions.
Putin reiterated on Tuesday that Russia’s nuclear arsenal serves as a reliable safeguard for the country’s sovereignty and security amidst escalating global tensions and emerging risks.
Link from www.aljazeera.com