Russia conducts multi-day nuclear military exercises

On Tuesday, Russia initiated a three-day nuclear military exercise involving 64,000 personnel, 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships, and 13 submarines. The drills encompass units from the Northern, Pacific, Leningrad, and Central military regions, focusing on the preparation and potential use of tactical nuclear weapons. Footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry depicts troops practicing the transport and loading of warheads onto Iskander-M mobile missile systems. The exercises include rehearsal procedures for tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus. These drills are taking place across Russian and Belarusian territories. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that the exercises serve as a response to growing risks of a direct clash between Russia and NATO. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the objective is to practice reaching the highest levels of combat readiness for nuclear weapon deployment. This event occurs amidst ongoing tensions regarding the conflict in Ukraine.