Official statements from the Russian government or credible international news agencies

Putin Announces Strategy for Response to NATO-Backed Ukraine Strikes, Oversees Nuclear Drills

Oct 29, 2024, 01:07 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia's defense ministry is developing a strategy to respond if the West aids Ukraine in launching long-range strikes deep into Russian territory. Putin emphasized that the defense ministry will offer a range of responses and hinted at possible nuclear measures. In a related development, Putin oversaw a strategic nuclear deterrence forces exercise, which included practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles. He reiterated that the use of nuclear weapons is a last resort but stressed the need for Russia's nuclear forces to be prepared. The exercise aimed to simulate a massive nuclear strike in response to an enemy attack, underscoring Russia's heightened readiness amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Putin also mentioned aligning more closely with Belarus and noted that the exercise followed an attempted attack on Russia’s Bryansk region by Western mercenaries under Ukrainian flags.