Putin conducts nuclear forces drills simulating retaliatory strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated a large-scale exercise of the country's nuclear forces, simulating a retaliatory strike. The drills include missile launches and are designed to practice responses to a potential nuclear attack. During a video call with military leaders, Putin emphasized the importance of modernizing Russia's nuclear arsenal amid rising geopolitical tensions. The exercise involved test-firing intercontinental ballistic missiles from various platforms, all of which successfully hit their targets. This exercise follows previous nuclear drills and comes after Putin warned that Western support for Ukraine could escalate into direct conflict with NATO. He has also updated Russia's nuclear doctrine to include responses to conventional attacks supported by nuclear powers.