Russia's Tactical Nuke Drills Enter Third Stage Amid Global Tensions

Russia has initiated the third phase of tactical nuclear weapons drills, focusing on deploying dummy warheads and maintaining readiness. The drills, involving Southern and Central military districts, come amidst escalating tensions with the West. The first stage began in May, with Belarus joining in June.

Russia has announced the commencement of the third phase of its tactical nuclear weapons drills, the defence ministry revealed on Wednesday.

"In accordance with the decision of the president of the Russian Federation, the third stage of the exercise of non-strategic nuclear forces has begun," the ministry stated on Telegram. The exercises will see soldiers from the Southern and Central military districts training to deploy dummy warheads for Iskander-M missile systems and moving them covertly to launch sites. "The current stage of the exercise is aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units of combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons of Russia to perform combat missions," the ministry added.

Since initiating drills in May, with Belarus participating in June, Russia claims the U.S. and its European allies are pushing the world towards a nuclear standoff by supplying Ukraine with extensive weaponry. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has reiterated the potential use of nuclear arms to defend the country, which the West dismisses as sabre-rattling.