MOSCOW: Russia on Thursday delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus and showcased key elements of its strategic nuclear forces as tensions with European members of Nato intensified over the Ukraine war and drone activity in the Baltic region.
Moscow is currently conducting some of its largest nuclear exercises in recent years, involving around 64,000 personnel. The drills are aimed at training Russian forces in the “preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of aggression”.
The three-day military exercises, which began on Tuesday across Russia and Belarus, involve the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific fleets, long-range aviation units, and troops from the Leningrad and Central military districts.
As part of the exercises, Russia displayed a Borei-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft, a MiG-31 fighter jet armed with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile, and RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the use of nuclear weapons as a “last resort” but emphasised the need to maintain the country’s nuclear triad as a guarantee of sovereignty and strategic deterrence.
Russia also said that a missile unit in Belarus is training to receive special munitions for the mobile Iskander-M tactical missile system, including exercises involving the loading of munitions onto launch vehicles.
Russian nuclear drills generally use dummy warheads. One video released by the defence ministry showed a tarp-covered military truck travelling with minimal security, while other footage featured nuclear submarines, aircraft, and warships participating in the exercises.
The military drills come as Moscow says it is engaged in an existential struggle with the West over the conflict in Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the war, Putin has repeatedly highlighted Russia’s nuclear capabilities as a warning to Western countries against expanding their support for Kyiv. Ukraine and several Western leaders have criticised such actions, describing them as irresponsible nuclear sabre-rattling.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Baltic region have also intensified. Moscow has accused Baltic countries of allowing Ukraine to use their airspace to launch drone attacks on northern Russia, allegations that Nato has denied.
The Baltic states, which are strong supporters of Ukraine, have instead accused Russia of redirecting Ukrainian drones into their airspace away from intended targets inside Russia.
The Kremlin also criticised comments made by Lithuania’s top diplomat, describing them as “verging on insanity”. The remarks came after Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Nato must demonstrate that it is capable of penetrating the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
Kaliningrad is located between Nato members Lithuania and Poland along the Baltic coast. The region has a population of around one million people and is heavily militarised, serving as the headquarters of Russia’s Baltic Fleet.