Russia Conducts Massive Nuclear Drill Amid Ukraine War

On Tuesday, Russia conducted a significant nuclear exercise involving missile launches to simulate a massive retaliatory strike in response to a potential first strike by an enemy. President Vladimir Putin emphasized the need for modern, always-ready strategic forces amid escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The drill included the full nuclear triad, with a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Plesetsk to Kamchatka, and ballistic and cruise missiles fired from submarines and strategic bombers. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov noted that the purpose of the exercise was to prepare for a large-scale nuclear response. This exercise comes as NATO reported North Korean troops have been sent to western Russia, a claim Moscow has not denied, heightening concerns about regional security. Putin reiterated that nuclear weapons would only be used in extreme circumstances, aiming to deter Western support for Ukraine.