Russian President Vladimir Putin ramped up Russia's nuclear muscle on Tuesday by overseeing a large-scale exercise simulating a retaliatory nuclear strike. The drill, which included missile launches, comes as tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The exercises featured the test-firing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and cruise missiles from land, sea, and air, all part of what Russian officials described as a simulated "massive nuclear strike in response to an enemy attack." Putin, speaking via a video link with top military leaders, emphasized the importance of these drills given the "growing geopolitical tensions" and "emerging new threats."
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov reported that the drills were aimed at practicing the actions that Russia's top military officials would take in the event of a nuclear strike on the country. "These exercises show that Russia's strategic forces are ready for action at any time," he said.
The large-scale exercise underscores Russia's ongoing efforts to modernize its nuclear forces. Putin reiterated on Tuesday that Moscow is committed to maintaining its nuclear deterrent as a "reliable guarantor of the country's sovereignty and security." He noted that Russia continues to deploy newer missiles with higher precision and improved capabilities to overcome missile defense systems.
As part of the drills, the Russian military test-launched a Yars ICBM from the Plesetsk launch site in northern Russia toward the Kura test range in the Kamchatka Peninsula. Nuclear-capable submarines also launched ICBMs from both the Barents Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, while strategic bombers deployed long-range cruise missiles. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that all the missiles hit their designated targets.
These exercises are part of Russia's broader strategy to showcase its military capabilities to the West. Putin has frequently raised the specter of nuclear warfare in response to the West's military support for Ukraine. Just last month, the Russian leader warned that if Western-supplied Ukrainian forces carried out long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory, it would trigger a direct conflict with NATO. He also indicated that Russia might respond to conventional attacks from non-nuclear nations if they were supported by nuclear powers, a veiled warning aimed at the U.S. and other Kyiv allies.
Tuesday's maneuvers follow a series of nuclear-related exercises that have raised global concerns. Earlier this year, Russia conducted joint drills with Belarus, which has hosted some of Moscow's tactical nuclear weapons. In March, Putin announced the deployment of tactical nuclear arms in Belarus, claiming they were three times more powerful than the bombs dropped on Japan in World War II. The deployment was seen as a direct response to the U.K.'s decision to provide Ukraine with armor-piercing rounds made with depleted uranium.
Despite these provocations, Putin insists that Russia does not seek to initiate a new arms race. On Tuesday, he reiterated that nuclear weapons would only be used under "extremely exceptional measures" and that Russia views them as a last resort for national defense.
The exercise comes at a time of increasing complexity in the Ukraine war. Ukrainian forces, backed by Western arms and support, continue to make advances in regions like Kursk, where Russian forces are attempting to hold ground. Recent reports indicate that Russia has deployed thousands of North Korean troops to support its efforts, further complicating the conflict. Some of these troops have been deployed in regions where Russia has struggled to maintain control, and concerns are mounting over how effectively they can be integrated into the Russian military.
The presence of North Korean troops, alongside Russia's nuclear posturing, has raised alarms in the West. The Pentagon has confirmed that North Korean soldiers are now being used to support Russian forces, while South Korea is reportedly discussing sending weapons to Ukraine. The deployment of North Korean troops and Moscow's continuing reliance on its nuclear deterrent suggest that the conflict in Ukraine is far from resolution.
Putin's emphasis on Russia's "nuclear triad"-a term for the country's nuclear forces capable of being deployed by land, sea, and air-reflects his determination to present Russia as a nuclear superpower on par with the United States. He has frequently pointed out that only the U.S. and Russia possess fully developed nuclear triads, and he claims that Russia's is more advanced than that of the U.S.
