Putin Oversees Russia Strategic Nuclear Forces Drills Involving ICBMs, Bombers, Submarines

Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a comprehensive training exercise of Russia's strategic nuclear forces involving land, sea, and air components, including the use of intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The exercise featured launches of a Yars ICBM from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a Sineva missile from the submarine Bryansk in the Barents Sea, and cruise missile strikes by Tu-95MS bombers. The drills aimed to test the readiness and coordination of Russia's nuclear command-and-control systems and simulate procedures for authorizing nuclear weapon use. These exercises were planned in advance and coincided with NATO's own nuclear deterrence drills, underscoring heightened East-West tensions. Kremlin officials emphasized that the drills were routine and part of ensuring the reliability of Russia's nuclear deterrence capabilities. The exercises also served as a strategic message amidst ongoing geopolitical strains and the postponement of a planned summit between President Putin and US President Donald Trump.