Putin Orders Tactical Nuclear Drills on Eve of His New Term
- Putin earlier warned of nuclear threat over war in Ukraine
- Exercises announced ahead of Putin’s inauguration on Tuesday
A vehicle transports a RS-24 Yars strategic nuclear missile during the main rehearsals of the military parade, in the Red Square, Moscow on May 5,
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President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s military to carry out combat drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, ramping up his confrontation with the West just a day before his inauguration for a fifth term.
The army will carry out exercises in southern Russia to “practice the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” the Defense Ministry said in a Telegram statement on Monday. The drills involving air and naval forces are being held in response to “provocative statements and threats made by certain Western officials,” it said.