Russia Conducts Nuclear Drill... Publicizes ICBM and Hypersonic Missile Launch (Comprehensive)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is observing a tactical nuclear exercise of the Russian military in the capital Moscow on the 26th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 26th (local time), Russia conducted a regular nuclear exercise under the observation of President Vladimir Putin. The exercise involved intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic missiles.

According to Russian news agency TASS and others, the Kremlin announced that under President Putin's leadership, the military carried out strategic deterrence exercises on land, sea, and air. Actual ballistic and cruise missile launches were also conducted that day.

This was Russia's first nuclear exercise in over eight months since February 19, just before the invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin stated, "All the objectives of the strategic deterrence exercise were achieved," adding, "All missiles reached their targets."

President Putin received a report from Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov via video in the Kremlin situation room.

Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said, "We conducted exercises to carry out a large-scale nuclear strike in response to an enemy nuclear attack."

The exercise was conducted to check the readiness of military command and control institutions, combat personnel, and the reliability of strategic nuclear and non-nuclear weapons.

The Russian Aerospace Forces, Southern Military District, Strategic Missile Forces, Northern and Black Sea Fleets participated, and launch scenes of Kinzhal missiles, Iskander tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, Zircon hypersonic missiles, Yars ICBMs, and Sineva ballistic missiles were revealed.

Additionally, MiG-31 fighter jets, the Karelia submarine, destroyers and small missile combat ships, and Tupolev (TU)-95 strategic bombers also appeared.

Earlier, President Putin said at a meeting with heads of intelligence agencies from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) held that day, "We are aware of Ukraine's plan to use 'dirty bombs.'"

A dirty bomb is an inhumane weapon that combines conventional explosives with nuclear material, capable of causing widespread radioactive contamination.

Russia has repeatedly claimed that Ukraine intends to use dirty bombs, heightening tensions.

Meanwhile, Russia has notified the United States of plans to conduct a large-scale nuclear war exercise called "Grom" (Thunder). Patrick Ryder, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, revealed on the 25th during a briefing that they had received notification of the Grom exercise from Russia.

The United States and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) are currently conducting their annual nuclear deterrence exercise, "Steadfast Noon," until the 30th.