In an image taken from a video distributed on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired from the Plesetsk launchpad in northwestern Russia.Photo by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

Russian forces start massive drills to simulate retaliatory nuclear strikes

'Taking into account growing geopolitical tensions and emerging new threats and risks, it's important for us to have modern strategic forces that are always ready,' Putin said

· National Post

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday launched a massive exercise of the country’s nuclear forces featuring missile launches in a simulation of a retaliatory strike, as he continued to flex the country’s nuclear muscle amid spiralling tensions with the West over Ukraine.

Speaking in a video call with military leaders, Putin said that the drills will simulate top officials’ action in using nuclear weapons and include launches of nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.

NATO holding nuclear exercise in response to growing Russian capabilitiesNATO will hold a long-planned major nuclear exercise next week, the alliance’s chief said Thursday, a few weeks after President Vladimir Putin announced changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine to discourage Ukraine’s Western allies from supporting attacks on his country.Lorne Cook, 10 Oct 2024Putin warns of 'nuclear conflict' should the West send troops to UkraineMOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed Thursday to fulfill Moscow’s goals in Ukraine, and sternly warned the West against deeper involvement in the fighting, saying that such a move is fraught with the risk of a global nuclear conflict.Vladimir Isachenkov, 22 Feb 2024