Supervised by Putin; Russia conducts nuclear deterrence exercises

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Oct 2023 21:36
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The Russian nuclear forces launched several models of ballistic and cruise missiles during the extensive drills.

A Russian Yars ballistic missiles mounted on a mobile launcher rolls during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on May 7, 2017 (AP)

Russia's nuclear deterrence forces carried out a strategic exercise on Wednesday, overseen by directly President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said in a statement.

“Under the leadership of the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, training was conducted with the forces and means of the ground, sea, and air components of the nuclear deterrent forces. During the training, practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles took place,” the statement read.

During the drills, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome at the Kura missile test range in Kamchatka, the Kremlin added.

“A Sineva ballistic missile was launched from the Barents Sea from the strategic nuclear-powered missile submarine cruiser Tula. Tu-95MS long-range aviation aircraft, which launched air-launched cruise missiles, were also involved in the drills."

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, while in a video call with Putin, described the drills as a rehearsal for "a massive nuclear strike" in response to a nuclear attack against Russia.

"In the course of the events, the level of preparedness of the military command authorities and the skills of the senior and operational staff in organizing subordinate troops (forces) were tested," the Kremlin added.

“The tasks planned during the training were fully completed."

Theoretically

Russia’s defense doctrine sees the possibility of a nuclear response to an atomic hit or an attack with conventional weapons that would “threaten the very existence of the Russian state.”

Earlier this month, Putin warned that the Russian parliament could revoke its ratification and agreement of the treaty banning nuclear tests while announcing that the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile has been developed and production will begin soon.

During a speech at a forum of foreign policy experts, Putin recalled that the US signed but did not ratify the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, as opposed to Russia.

He argued that Russia can “mirror the stand taken by the US”, adding: “Theoretically, we may revoke the ratification.”

"Nuclear weapons have been made to ensure our security in the broadest sense of the word and the existence of the Russian state, but we...have no such need [to use them]," Putin said back in July after announcing the transfer of nuclear warheads to Belarus.