Putin oversees strategic nuclear forces drill via video link

Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a planned training exercise of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces on October 21 via video link from the Kremlin, according to a statement published on the Kremlin’s official website.

During the exercise, Putin was in contact with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who led the operation.

The Kremlin described the drills as scheduled and focused on testing the readiness of Russia’s nuclear command and control system.

The training included the launch of a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk state test cosmodrome to the Kura range in Kamchatka. In addition, a Sineva ballistic missile was fired from the Barents Sea by the Bryansk nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine cruiser.

Long-range Tu-95MS bombers also took part, launching air-launched cruise missiles during the exercise.

All practical missile launches were monitored from Russia’s National Defence Control Centre.

According to the Kremlin, the drill successfully tested the readiness of military command structures and the operational staff’s ability to manage strategic forces.

“All objectives of the exercise were fully achieved,” the statement concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova