Putin watched Russian nuclear weapons drills

The exercise was conducted by forces responsible for the use of strategic nuclear weapons in Russia. President Putin observed it sitting in the control room in Moscow.

Russia has conducted nuclear weapons drills amid rising tensions with the West over allegations of dirty bombs against Ukraine. The exercise is essentially a practice of how to respond to an enemy nuclear attack.

On Wednesday, Russia's forces responsible for the use of strategic nuclear weapons conducted the 'Nuclear Strategic Force' exercise. And President Vladimir Putin watched it through a video link sitting in the control room in Moscow.

In addition to launching ballistic and cruise missiles, strategic bombers and nuclear submarines were used in the annual exercise. The exercise is named, 'Grom' or 'Thunder', to intimidate the enemy by projecting strength.

IRA news agency quoted Putin as saying that the risk of conflict in the world and in the region is very high. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted on Russian TV as saying, "The goal of the drills is to practice a large-scale nuclear strike with strategic nuclear weapons to retaliate against an enemy nuclear attack."

This is the first exercise of the 'Nuclear Strategic Force' since Putin announced military operations in Ukraine on February 24. Earlier, the Russian military conducted tests of nuclear-armed missiles from water and land.

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, about 800 kilometers north of Moscow, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. Moreover, a Sineva ballistic missile was launched from the Barents Sea at the remote Kura test site in Russia's Kamchatka province. All missiles hit the target.

A video feed of the missile launch was shown to President Putin on Russian TV. Footage of Putin's speech at a conference of regional intelligence agencies was also televised via video link. At the conference, Putin further accused Ukraine of plotting to use 'dirty bombs'.

The Western military alliance NATO recently started its own nuclear exercise called 'Steadfast Noon' in northwestern Europe. Belgium, the United Kingdom and 14 countries are conducting training flights over the North Sea. It will continue till Sunday.

Meanwhile, Russia conducted nuclear weapons drills. However, Russia had already informed the United States of its intention to conduct the exercise, the Pentagon said.

Still, Russia's display of nuclear weapons at such a time is sensitive. Because Russia is on the verge of retreating into Ukraine and has accused Ukraine of plotting to use 'dirty bombs'.

Ukraine and the West say that there is no evidence of Russia's accusations, but that they are making such claims to increase tensions over the war in Ukraine. Kiev has warned that the Russian accusations suggest that Moscow itself is preparing such an attack.

Meanwhile, Western officials fear that Russia could use short-range tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine to force Ukraine to surrender. Because, at this time, Moscow is facing a major defeat as the Russian forces are under pressure from the Ukrainian forces around Kherson.