Russia To Conduct Tactical Nuclear Drills, Blaming Western Provocations

Russia has announced military drills involving simulated use of tactical nuclear weapons. This comes after the Russian Defense Ministry claimed Western officials made “provocative threats.”

Self-proclaimed Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the exercise to assess the combat readiness of their non-strategic nuclear forces. The drills will involve missile units from the southern military district and naval forces practicing the preparation and deployment of these weapons, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

“During the exercise, a set of measures will be carried out to practice the issues of preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” the Russian Defense Ministry said. The exercise is aimed at “ensuring Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in response to provocative statements and threats by certain Western officials against the Russian Federation.”

This marked the first public announcement by Russia of drills involving tactical nuclear weapons. However, their strategic nuclear forces conduct exercises routinely.