Putin Orders New Nuclear Drills: Russia Ramps Up Nuclear Readiness Amid Rising Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered new strategic nuclear drills.

The Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) conducted large-scale nuclear retaliation exercises in line with Putin’s directives, simulating a preemptive nuclear strike scenario by an enemy nation on Tuesday.

According to Reuters, Putin announced plans for another strategic deterrence exercise, which will include practicing ballistic and cruise missile launches and training related to nuclear weapons control. He underscored Russia’s commitment to maintaining its nuclear capabilities at a necessary level, stating that the country has the capacity to do so and intends to strengthen its strategic deterrence in response to emerging threats and rising geopolitical tensions.

MOD mobilized all three types of nuclear forces—land, sea, and air-launched missiles—for this exercise, according to the Russian Media.

Russia launched the RS-24 Yars (intercontinental ballistic missile) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome (northwest of Russia) to the Kamchatka Peninsula (far east). They also conducted exercises involving launching R-29RMU Sineva and RSM-56 Bulava ballistic missiles from submarines and cruise missiles from strategic bombers.

Putin announced plans to revise the nuclear doctrine last month, outlining the principles governing nuclear use. He indicated that the revision would include a provision stating that if a non-nuclear state attacks Russia with support from a nuclear-armed country, Russia would consider that supporting country a co-aggressor.

This move is viewed as a way to strengthen nuclear warning messages to Western nations, including the United States, which support Ukraine. It is interpreted as a reaction to concerns about Ukraine potentially attacking Russian territory using Western-supplied weapons.