Russia Conducts Major Nuclear Forces Drill Amid Rising Tensions

President Putin supervised a comprehensive test of Russia's nuclear capabilities, involving missile launches from various platforms to assess readiness. As NATO conducted parallel exercises, these drills aim to demonstrate military strength amid escalating East-West tensions.

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday oversaw a comprehensive test of Russia's nuclear forces, spanning land, sea, and air, to evaluate their readiness and command structures. The exercise included the launch of a land-based "Yars" intercontinental ballistic missile from a cosmodrome, a "Sineva" ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea, and nuclear-capable cruise missiles from strategic bombers.

Russia often conducts such drills to ensure their nuclear forces are operational and to signal to adversaries the strength of their nuclear arsenal, which remains the world's largest amid escalating East-West tensions.

Coinciding with these drills, NATO began its own annual nuclear exercises earlier this month. Termed 'Steadfast Noon,' the exercises involve approximately 60 aircraft, including F-35A fighter jets and B-52 bombers from 13 nations, hosted by Belgium and The Netherlands.

(With inputs from agencies.)