The Russian Ministry of Defense announced this morning that beginning today, the Russian armed forces will be engaged in a very large scale strategic nuclear exercise that runs through May 21. The drill involves the Strategic Missile Forces, Northern and Pacific fleets, Long-Range Aviation Command, and a part of the forces of the Leningrad and Central Military Districts, the MOD statement said.
“During the practical actions of the troops, measures are planned to prepare a number of formations and military units of the nuclear forces for the fulfilment of their tasks and to provide them with comprehensive support, as well as to launch ballistic and cruise missiles at training grounds in the Russian Federation,” it said. “In total, more than 64,000 troops, more than 7,800 units of military hardware, including over 200 missile launchers, more than 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships, and 13 submarines, including 8 strategic missile submarines, will be involved in the drill.”
“Also, during the exercise, issues of joint training and use of nuclear weapons deployed on the territory of the Republic of Belarus will be practised,” it concluded.
