Official statements from government officials or state departments

Russia Plans Nuclear Drills in Response to Macron, Before Putin's Fifth Term

May 6, 2024, 11:30 AM

In response to perceived provocations from Western officials, including comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia, under the directive of President Vladimir Putin, is set to conduct military drills involving tactical nuclear weapons. These exercises, ordered by Putin just before his inauguration for a fifth term, will involve missile units and naval forces from the Southern Military District. The drills aim to practice the deployment and operational use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, amidst rising tensions with NATO, particularly following comments about potential Western military involvement in Ukraine.