Russia has transferred nuclear munitions to operational storage sites in Belarus as it launched major strategic nuclear drills amid rising tensions with NATO over the war in Ukraine and growing disputes in the Baltic region.
The Kremlin said on Thursday that the exercises, regarded as some of Russia’s largest nuclear readiness operations in recent years, involve about 64,000 military personnel across Russia and Belarus.
According to Reuters, the three-day military exercise began on Tuesday and is designed to test the “preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of aggression.”
The operation includes Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, long-range aviation units, the Northern and Pacific fleets, as well as troops from the Leningrad and Central military districts.
During the drills, Russia showcased parts of its nuclear arsenal, including Borei-class ballistic missile submarines, RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, MiG-31 fighter jets armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft.
Russian President described nuclear weapons as a “last resort” but stressed that maintaining Russia’s nuclear triad remains essential for the country’s security and deterrence strategy.
Russian officials also revealed that a missile unit in Belarus is being trained to handle special munitions for the Iskander-M tactical missile system. The drills include loading the munitions onto launch platforms and transporting them to deployment areas.
Although Russia usually uses dummy warheads during such exercises, videos released by the Russian Defence Ministry showed military convoys carrying covered cargo alongside footage of submarines, warships, and combat aircraft involved in the operation.
The latest developments come as Moscow continues to portray the Ukraine conflict as a direct confrontation with Western nations.
Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has repeatedly highlighted its nuclear capabilities while warning Western countries against increasing military assistance to Kyiv.
Ukraine and several NATO leaders have accused Moscow of using nuclear threats to intimidate its opponents, dismissing the rhetoric as reckless saber-rattling.
Tensions have also grown between Russia and Baltic NATO members after Moscow alleged that Baltic countries allowed Ukrainian drones to pass through their airspace to attack targets in northern Russia.
The Baltic states, however, accused Russia of deliberately diverting Ukrainian drones into Baltic airspace.
The Kremlin further criticised comments made by Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, , who suggested NATO should demonstrate its ability to penetrate Russia’s heavily fortified Kaliningrad exclave.
Russian officials condemned the remarks, calling them “verging on insanity.”
Kaliningrad, situated between NATO members Lithuania and Poland along the Baltic coast, hosts Russia’s Baltic Fleet headquarters and remains one of Moscow’s most heavily militarised regions in Europe.
