Russia begins nuclear drills in an apparent warning to West over Ukraine
Russia’s military on Tuesday began drills involving tactical nuclear weapons that were announced by Russian authorities earlier this month in an apparent warning to senior Western officials who had spoken about the possibility of deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine.
It was the first time Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, although its strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises.
According to a statement by the Defense Ministry released Tuesday, the first stage of the new drills envisioned “practical training in the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” including nuclear-capable Kinzhal and Iskander missiles.
The maneuvers are taking place in the Southern Military District, which consists of Russian regions in the south, including on the border with Ukraine; Crimea, illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014; and four Ukrainian regions that Russia illegally annexed in 2022 and partially occupies.
Related articles
At least 40 villagers shot dead in latest violence in Nigeria's conflict
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Armed men attacked remote villages in northcentral Nigeria, killing at least a2024-05-22Takeaways from AP's story on the BP oil spill medical settlement's shortcomings
When the BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded in 2010 and spewed many millions of gallons of o2024-05-22Leonardo DiCaprio tipped to play Frank Sinatra in new Martin Scorsese biopic
Leonardo DiCaprio is tipped to play Frank Sinatra in a new biopic directed by his longtime collabora2024-05-22Hollyoaks star Theo Graham is the latest actor to leave the soap amid massive cast cull
Hollyoaks star Theo Graham, who plays Hunter McQueen, is the latest actor to announce his departure2024-05-22What to stream: Lenny Kravitz, South Park, 'Dune: Part 2'
“Dune: Part 2,” Jennifer Lopez in the sci-fi action pic “Atlas” and a “South Park” episode skewering2024-05-22Louisiana bills seeking to place restrictions on where people can carry guns receive pushback
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As Louisiana prepares for a new law to go into effect that allows those 18 a2024-05-22
atest comment