As tensions in Ukraine and Southwest Asia escalate, and with the United States deploying increased naval and other forces into those theaters, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally led a training exercise of the country’s nuclear deterrence forces. The full text of the official release from the Kremlin speaks for itself:
“Supreme Commander-in-Chief directed training of strategic deterrence forces. October 25, 2023 18:30. The Kremlin, Moscow.
“Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation Armed Forces Vladimir Putin led a training exercise that involved the forces and resources of the ground, sea and air components of Russia’s nuclear deterrence forces. The exercise included practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles.
“A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk state testing cosmodrome to hit the Kura training ground in Kamchatka. A Sineva ballistic missile was launched from the Tula strategic nuclear missile submarine in the Barents Sea. The training exercise also involved Tu-95MS long-range aircraft, which fired air-launched cruise missiles. The practical launches were controlled from the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation.
