- Russian forces to conduct tactical nuclear weapons exercises.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered forces to conduct exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons.
- After the Ukraine invasion, it is the first time Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons.
- Tactical nuclear weapons include the use of air bombs, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery munitions for the battlefield.
- The exercises comprise preparations and deployment involving non-strategic nuclear weapons.
- The decision to conduct this drill has been taken after “provocative statements and threats” from Western officials. It aims to ensure Russia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- Russia and the United States are the world’s biggest nuclear powers. They have more than 10,600 of the world’s 12,100 nuclear warheads.
- Russia has about 1,558 non-strategic nuclear warheads.
