Russia Holds Large-Scale Nuclear Drills as Putin Embarks on State Visit to China

(CNA, Moscow, 19th, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatches) Russia's Ministry of Defence stated that Russia began a three-day nuclear weapons exercise today, which includes test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles. Moscow announced the start of the exercise just hours before President Putin was set to depart for a visit to China. According to Reuters, the exercise mobilizes 64,000 personnel and 7,800 pieces of military equipment and will drill "the readiness and use of nuclear forces in the event of aggression." The Ministry of Defence pointed out that participants in the exercise include the Rocket Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, the Long-Range Aviation forces, and relevant units from the Leningrad and Central military districts. More than 200 missile launch systems, 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships, and 13 submarines, including 8 strategic nuclear submarines, will be involved in the exercise. The ministry stated that this drill will also cover practical operational training of tactical nuclear weapons deployed by Russia in Belarus. Agence France-Presse reported that as Ukraine escalates its drone attacks and with Vladimir Putin's imminent visit to China, the Russian military today launched a three-day nuclear exercise across the country, mobilizing thousands of troops. This exercise is being held months after the last nuclear weapons agreement between Russia and the United States expired. Recently, Putin has repeatedly boasted about the strength of Moscow's strategic nuclear forces. A statement from the Ministry of Defence noted: "The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will conduct an exercise from May 19 to 21, 2026, on the readiness and use of nuclear forces when facing the threat of aggression." Since the "New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty" (New START) between Moscow and Washington expired in February, the world's two largest nuclear powers have been officially freed from related restrictions.