Putin orders nuclear exercises near Ukrainian territory

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement posted on the social networking site Telegram: “During the exercises, a series of measures will be taken to train in the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons.”

He added that this measure was taken “on the instructions of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” Vladimir Putin.

The Russian Ministry added that this training aims to “maintain the army’s readiness” to protect the country “in response to the provocative statements and threats made by some Western officials against Russia.”

The exercises will include the air forces, navy, and forces of the Southern Military District, which is located near Ukraine and covers the areas annexed by Moscow.

The date and location of these exercises have not been announced.

In October 2023, Russia announced that Vladimir Putin supervised the launch of ballistic missiles during military exercises aimed at simulating a “massive nuclear attack” on Moscow.

During these exercises, a Lars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk Space Base in northern Russia, and another Sineva ballistic missile was launched from a submarine in the Barents Sea.

Its organization was announced on the same day that the Federation Council of the Russian Parliament agreed to cancel the ratification of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Since the conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022, the Russian president has been talking about the possible use of nuclear weapons.

Russia deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, its closest ally and EU neighbour, in the summer of 2023.

Russia’s nuclear doctrine stipulates the “strictly defensive” use of atomic weapons, in the event of an attack on Russia with weapons of mass destruction or in the event of aggression with conventional weapons that “threatens the very existence of the state.”