Russia Launches Massive Nuclear Drill With Submarines, Missile Launchers And 65,000 Troops

Russia has launched a large scale three-day nuclear weapons exercise involving submarines, missile launchers, aircraft, warships and more than 65,000 troops, as tensions with Ukraine and the West continue to rise.

The Russian defence ministry said the drills began on May 19 and will continue until May 21. Around 7,800 types of military equipment and weapons are taking part, including more than 200 missile launchers.

The exercise is meant to test the readiness of its strategic and tactical nuclear forces in case of external aggression. The drills include rapid troop mobilisation, missile deployment and simulated nuclear response operations.

The ministry said ballistic and cruise missile launches will also be carried out during the exercise across areas linked to the Leningrad and Central military districts.

Aircraft, ships, submarines and nuclear submarines are participating in the drill.

Russian state media also reported the involvement of nuclear-capable systems such as the Iskander-M missile platform, along with long-range aviation units and naval assets capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Belarus is also taking part in the exercise alongside Russian forces. Moscow said the drills include joint training related to nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus.

Russia has also stationed the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, which borders NATO member states.

The timing of the exercise is likely to intensify international scrutiny of military activity across Eastern Europe and nearby maritime regions.

Since the start of the Ukraine war, Russia has repeatedly used nuclear rhetoric alongside military deployments in an effort to deter Western involvement and maintain strategic pressure on NATO.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently accused Moscow of preparing a new offensive from Belarus and ordered Ukrainian troops to strengthen the northern border.

The nuclear drills also follow the collapse of the New START agreement between Russia and the United States earlier this year. The treaty had placed limits on strategic nuclear weapons held by the world’s two largest nuclear powers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly described strengthening Russia’s nuclear forces as a priority. Moscow recently tested a new long-range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The latest drills were announced hours before Putin began a two-day visit to China.

Western countries have repeatedly criticised Russia’s nuclear rhetoric since the start of the Ukraine war. Moscow, however, says NATO’s growing military involvement near Russian borders threatens its national security.

Although experts do not see the drills as a sign of an immediate nuclear threat, they say such exercises increase global security tensions at a time when relations between Russia and the West remain deeply strained.

References: interestingengineering, france24