Russia holds fresh nuclear drills under Putin’s supervision amid calls for rule changes

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP)

In a demonstration of military readiness, Russia conducted fresh nuclear drills on Tuesday under the direct supervision of President Vladimir Putin. The exercise comes after Putin recently advocated for adjustments to Russia’s nuclear deterrent policies, signaling potential shifts in Moscow’s approach to nuclear force usage.
Putin, who has repeatedly brandished the nuclear sword as he seeks to deter the West from ramping up support for Ukraine, emphasized on Tuesday that Russia’s nuclear arsenal remains a “reliable guarantor of the country’s sovereignty and security.”
“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 for combat,” he said, reaffirming that Russia sees nuclear weapons use as “the ultimate, extreme measure of ensuring its security.”
Russia’s ministry of defense announced that the drills included training exercises involving the land, maritime, and aviation units of the country’s strategic deterrent forces. During the exercise, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was reportedly launched, showcasing the capabilities of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
These drills arrive amidst ongoing global tensions, with Russia emphasizing its stance on nuclear preparedness. This heightened focus on Russia’s nuclear capabilities underscores its efforts to project strength on the international stage, especially in light of recent Western sanctions and diplomatic pressures related to the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Putin noted that Moscow will continue to modernize its nuclear forces, deploying new missiles that have a higher precision, quicker launch times and increased capabilities to overcome missile defenses.
Last month, the Russian leader warned the US and NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons for strikes deep inside Russia would put NATO at war with his country.
He reinforced the message by announcing a new version of the nuclear doctrine that considers a conventional attack on Russia by a nonnuclear nation that is supported by a nuclear power to be a joint attack on his country – a clear warning to the US and other allies of Kyiv.
Putin also declared that the revised document envisages possible nuclear weapons use in case of a massive air attack, holding the door open to a potential nuclear response to any aerial assault – an ambiguity intended to deter the West.
Tuesday’s maneuvers follow a series of other drills of Russia’s nuclear forces.
Earlier this year, the Russian military held a joint nuclear exercise with Moscow’s ally Belarus, which has hosted some of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons.





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