Russia has announced the start of large-scale exercises to check the readiness of its nuclear forces. Tens of thousands of military personnel, strategic aviation, submarines, and Belarusian forces are participating in the maneuvers.
On Tuesday, Russia began a three-day exercise to check the readiness and application of its nuclear forces. The start of the maneuvers was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The exercises involve the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, long-range aviation, as well as units from the Leningrad and Central Military Districts.
According to the Russian military, about 64,000 servicemen and more than 7,800 units of equipment are participating in the maneuvers. This includes 200 missile launchers, over 140 aircraft and helicopters, 73 ships, and 13 submarines.
Russia also stated that joint preparation and possible use of nuclear weapons with Belarus will be practiced during the exercises. The Belarusian Ministry of Defense reported the start of its own training related to the use of nuclear weapons the day before.
In fact, Moscow and Minsk continue to demonstrate deepening military cooperation against the backdrop of the war against Ukraine and confrontation with NATO. Russia regularly conducts such exercises, but the current maneuvers are taking place amid particularly high international tension.
In recent months, Russian authorities have increasingly made statements about nuclear deterrence and readiness to respond to threats from the West.
Since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, the topic of nuclear weapons has once again become one of the central elements of Russian military rhetoric.
Particular attention is drawn to Belarus's participation. After the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory, Minsk has become more actively involved in such military events.
Against the backdrop of the ongoing war and increasing military activity in the region, NATO countries are closely monitoring such exercises by Russia and Belarus.
So far, it is about demonstrating readiness and practicing scenarios, but any maneuvers related to nuclear forces traditionally attract heightened attention from the international community.
