The Russian Defense Ministry has released video showing mobile missile launchers participating in a large-scale nuclear exercise taking place this week. The exercise, conducted in coordination with Belarus, coincided with President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China.
According to military observers, although the two events were planned in advance, their simultaneous occurrence is believed to be strategically significant, aiming to send a message that Russia's nuclear deterrence capabilities remain sufficient to respond to any preemptive attack scenario.
The video , released on Wednesday (May 20), shows a military convoy escorted by attack helicopters moving into a mountainous, forested area before launching cruise missiles from an Iskander-M system. This weapon system is part of a nuclear-sharing agreement that Russia and Belarus established in 2023, amid escalating tensions with the West over Ukraine and NATO.
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the exercise involved the full participation of the nuclear triad: strategic missile forces, air force, and navy. The drill included 64,000 Russian troops, 7,800 military vehicles, 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 warships, and 13 submarines, including 8 strategic missile submarines.
Normally, in his role as commander-in-chief, President Vladimir Putin would directly oversee large-scale military exercises. However, this time he is in Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping on bilateral relations and international issues.
Russian military doctrine stipulates that nuclear weapons should only be used as a last resort to protect national sovereignty against serious threats.
Since the Soviet era, Moscow has maintained a highly automated communications system designed to ensure a retaliatory response in the event of a large-scale nuclear attack. This system is known as the Perimeter and has been dubbed the "Dead Hand" by the media.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/nga-pho-dien-suc-manh-la-chan-hat-nhan-post1845011.tpo
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