Russia Conducts Large-Scale Nuclear Deterrence Drills Amid China Visit

(MENAFN) The Russian Defense Ministry has released video footage showing mobile missile units participating in a major nuclear deterrence exercise conducted this week in coordination with Belarus.

The drills coincide with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to China, a timing analysts say may carry strategic signaling value toward NATO amid heightened global tensions.

According to the defense ministry, the exercises involve elements of Russia’s full nuclear triad and include training scenarios designed to simulate the use of nuclear weapons under conditions of military confrontation. Officials stated that the drills are intended to test readiness “in the conditions of aggression.”

Footage released by the ministry shows convoy movements of road-mobile missile systems escorted by helicopters before simulated deployment of an Iskander-M missile system in a forested area. The system is part of Russia’s dual-capable missile infrastructure.

The exercises reportedly include tens of thousands of personnel, thousands of military vehicles, and a range of aircraft and naval assets, including strategic missile carriers and submarines.

Military observers note that the drills come amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Western countries, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine and NATO’s expanded military posture in Eastern Europe.

While Russian authorities insist the exercises are routine and defensive in nature, the scale and timing have drawn attention due to their overlap with high-level diplomatic activity involving Moscow and Beijing.

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