Russia test-fires series of super missiles, conducts nuclear deterrence drills

(CLO) Russia tested a series of missiles capable of flying thousands of miles on Tuesday (October 29) in a strategic deterrence exercise to simulate a “powerful” nuclear response when attacked by an enemy.

“In the context of growing geopolitical tensions and the emergence of new external threats and risks, it is important to have modern and ready-to-use strategic forces,” President Vladimir Putin said as he announced the opening of the exercises.

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Video of Russian missile launch (source: Russian Defense Ministry/Sputnik)

The nuclear missile triad is all involved.

The event comes at a crucial moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, after weeks of Russia signaling to the West that Moscow would retaliate if the US and its allies allowed Kiev to fire long-range missiles deep into Russian territory.

In televised comments, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov told Mr Putin that the purpose of the exercise was to practice “a massive nuclear strike by strategic strike forces in response to an enemy nuclear attack”.

The exercise involved Russia's entire nuclear missile “triad” of ground-, sea- and air-launched missiles.

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northwestern Russia to Kamchatka, a peninsula in the Far East. The Defense Ministry said the Sineva and Bulava ballistic missiles were launched from submarines, and cruise missiles were launched from strategic bombers.

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, Russia on October 29, 2024. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry

The Russian Strategic Deterrence Forces are a component of the Russian Armed Forces designed to deter aggression against Russia and its allies, using various types of weapons, including nuclear weapons. The Strategic Deterrence Forces consist of strategic offensive and defensive forces.

The strategic nuclear forces (nuclear triad) are the key component of the strategic strike force and include the Strategic Missile Forces, the Naval Strategic Nuclear Forces and the Air Force Strategic Nuclear Forces.

Russia began developing its nuclear triad in the 1950s. Its basic armaments now include land-based fixed and mobile intercontinental ballistic missile systems, strategic nuclear submarines, and strategic bombers carrying strategic air-to-surface cruise missiles and air-to-air bombs.

Putin's determination to protect Russia

Mr Putin said the use of nuclear weapons would be “an extremely exceptional measure”, adding: “I stress that we will not engage in a new arms race, but we will maintain our nuclear forces at the necessary level.”

He added that Russia is moving to new “fixed and mobile missile systems” that have shorter launch preparation times and can overcome missile defense systems.

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, Russia on October 29, 2024. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry

The exercise follows an October 18 exercise in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow, that included field movements of a unit equipped with Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, which have the range to hit US cities.

Since the conflict with Ukraine erupted, Mr Putin has sent a series of clear signals to the West, including changing Russia's stance on major nuclear treaties and announcing the deployment of tactical nuclear missiles to neighbouring Belarus.

Last month, the Kremlin chief approved changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine, expanding the list of conditions under which Moscow could consider using such weapons.

Under the changes, Russia would treat any attack on it backed by a nuclear power as a joint attack — a warning to the West not to help Ukraine strike deep into Russia.

President Putin has said that Russia does not need to use nuclear weapons to win in Ukraine. Russia is the world's largest nuclear power. Together, Russia and the United States control 88 percent of the world's nuclear warheads.

Huy Hoang (according to TASS, Sputnik, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nga-phong-thu-hang-loat-sieu-ten-lua-tap-tran-ran-de-hat-nhan-chien-luoc-post319083.html