The Kremlin refers to the exercise of “land, sea and air strategic deterrence forces” during which “practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles were carried out”.
Amid the conflict with Ukraine, Vladimir Putin on Wednesday attended training of his strategic deterrence forces, the troops responsible for responding to threats including nuclear war, the Kremlin announced.
“Under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Vladimir Putin, the ground, sea and air strategic deterrence forces conducted training and practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
One ballistic missile was specifically launched from the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, while the other was launched from the waters of the Barents Sea in the Arctic. Tu-95 long-range aircraft were also involved in the exercise.
“The tasks set during the strategic deterrence exercise were fully completed and all missiles hit their targets,” the Kremlin continued.
Missiles, bombers, submarines…
Russian “strategic” forces, in their broadest definition, are designed to respond to threats, including nuclear war. They have intercontinental ballistic missiles, long-range strategic bombers, submarines, surface ships and naval aviation.
The drills come amid a Russian offensive in Ukraine and a crisis with the West. Russian officials have repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons in the event of an existential threat to the Russian state.
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