Russia launches unannounced nuclear exercise, including Belarusian launch sites
Defense News • • world
Key Points:
- Russia has launched its largest nuclear exercises in years, involving nearly 65,000 troops, over 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 surface vessels, and 13 submarines, including eight strategic nuclear submarines, in a three-day drill running through Thursday.
- The exercises, announced without prior public notice, are framed as rehearsals for the use of nuclear forces in case of aggression and include live ballistic and cruise missile launches within Russia.
- The timing coincides with President Putin's visit to Beijing, suggesting a coordinated display of military strength and diplomacy, and marks a shift from Russia's usual October nuclear drills.
- Belarus is explicitly integrated into the exercises, conducting parallel drills involving nuclear munitions, reflecting closer military cooperation and the stationing of Russian intermediate-range missiles in Belarus.
- Analysts view the exercises as a mix of operational readiness and information pressure aimed at NATO, with Ukrainian officials suggesting they may also be intended to divert Ukrainian forces ahead of a planned Russian summer offensive.