Putin Orders Tactical Nuclear Weapon Drills... "In Response to Western Provocations and Threats"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered tactical nuclear weapons training, citing the guarantee of sovereignty.

On the 6th (local time), TASS news agency reported, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense, that Russia is scheduled to conduct tactical nuclear weapons training soon in the southern region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Russian military has begun preparations for tactical nuclear weapons training involving missile units and the navy in the Southern Military District.

The Ministry of Defense explained that President Vladimir Putin ordered this training to protect Russian territory and guarantee sovereignty in response to provocative remarks and threats from Western officials against Russia.

The Ministry added, "During the training, measures will be carried out to practice the readiness and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons for combat missions."

Based in Rostov-on-Don, the Russian Southern Military District oversees the southern region of Russia as well as the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson?which Russia claims to have newly incorporated through its 'special military operation' in Ukraine?and the Crimean Peninsula.