President Putin Directs Maneuvers of Russian Nuclear Forces

On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin oversaw maneuvers of Russian nuclear forces by land, sea, and air from the Kremlin.

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Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu briefed him on the progress of the exercises, which involved the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as the participation of nuclear submarines and two Tu-95 strategic bombers.

During the maneuvers, a massive nuclear strike by strategic offensive forces was executed in response to a hypothetical enemy nuclear attack.

Additionally, an intercontinental ballistic missile Yars, with a range of up to 12,000 kilometers, was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This missile was destined for the Kura test range on the Kamchatka Peninsula, over 6,000 kilometers from its launch site.

Furthermore, the nuclear-powered submarine Tula launched a Sineva ballistic missile from the Barents Sea in the Arctic Ocean. All the missions outlined in the exercise program were successfully completed.

These exercises coincided with the Russian Senate’s decision on Wednesday to approve a bill revoking the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Russia argues that this step was taken due to the necessity of restoring nuclear parity with the U.S., which had not ratified the CTBT for 23 years. Russia emphasized that this revocation does not necessarily indicate an immediate resumption of nuclear testing since the “moratorium remains” in effect.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Ryabkov revealed that Moscow has received a proposal from the U.S. to resume discussions on strategic stability and arms control. He explained that Moscow is not ready to resume dialogue unless there are changes in the “deeply and fundamentally hostile policy of the United States towards Russia.”

In February of 2022, Russia suspended its compliance with the New START Treaty, the last remaining nuclear disarmament treaty between Russia and the United States still in effect.

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