In all fields
According to RIA, the exercises took place from May 19 to 21. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated: "Measures are being planned to prepare nuclear forces and military units to be ready for missions and to provide them with comprehensive support, as well as to conduct ballistic and cruise missile launches at test sites in Russia."
The exercises have also begun in Belarus. " Military units of the missile and air forces are participating. During the exercises, in cooperation with the Russian side, it is expected that drills will be conducted on transporting nuclear weapons and preparing for their use," the Belarusian Ministry of Defense stated.
The main focus is on maintaining secrecy regarding movements over significant distances, as well as making calculations for the deployment of nuclear deterrence forces and means.
Thousands of soldiers and hundreds of units of equipment
This exercise is truly large-scale. On the Russian side, it will include the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, the Long-Range Aviation Command, and several forces from the Leningrad Military District and the Central Military District.
The exercise involved approximately 64,000 soldiers and officers, along with about 7,800 units of weapons, military equipment, and special equipment, including: more than 200 missile launchers, 73 surface warships, 13 submarines, and more than 140 aircraft...
The last time exercises of this scale were held was two years ago, consisting of two phases. At that time, non-strategic nuclear weapons were the top priority.
This year's exercise included the use of specialized ammunition for the Iskander tactical missile system. Aerospace Force combat crews also practiced attacks using aircraft equipped with specialized warheads, specifically the Kinzhal hypersonic missile.
During the second phase in June, the Russian and Belarusian armed forces jointly practiced similar combat skills.
For the first time in history
Experts highlighted several characteristics of the current exercises.
"For the first time, they will demonstrate the entire nuclear triad in action while the Supreme Commander-in-Chief is not in Moscow," military observer and founder of the Military Russia website Dmitry Kornev told RIA Novosti.
"Ultimately, the President is currently in China. So we will demonstrate that the order to use nuclear weapons could have come from an aircraft or even from abroad," the expert added.
All of Russia's enemies will see that the head of state, wherever he may be, always keeps abreast of the situation and the key issues.
Another factor is the active participation of Belarus.
"These exercises send a clear signal to Europe that Russia is ready to respond to the West's Nuclear Sharing concept. NATO understands this as the deployment of US nuclear weapons on the territory of third countries."
"Now, Russia is also building a corresponding security and deterrence system to counter the potential development of nuclear forces in Europe," the expert emphasized.
At the same time, he rejected the notion that these exercises were related to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys's statement that NATO had weapons aimed at Russian military infrastructure in the Kaliningrad region.
"There is no reason to lower the nuclear deterrence capability, which will be used in the event that Russia's existence is threatened. It will not be used simply because of provocative statements. These exercises have been planned for a long time," Kornev clarified.
There's another factor as well. These are the first events of their kind since the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expired. There are currently no bilateral nuclear arms agreements between Russia and the United States.
Following his visit to China, US President Donald Trump said he had discussed governance issues in this area with President Xi Jinping.
"The U.S. and China have a very good understanding. We are discussing the idea of denuclearization, and Russia should also participate in this. Such an idea would be very good," Trump said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin might also bring up this topic during his visit to China. But Russia and the US prefer to maintain a cautious attitude.
And in response to Russia's convincing display of nuclear power (from the Sarmat test and strategic exercises), the US is responding in a much more modest way, with the launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile on May 20th.
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/nga-va-belarus-chuan-bi-gi-cho-phuong-tay-post778533.html
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