Russia has initiated major strategic nuclear force drills under the command of President Vladimir Putin, involving ICBM test launches and strategic bomber operations. This significant military activity took place concurrently with the shelving of an anticipated summit between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, which aimed to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Kremlin has clarified that the exercises were pre-scheduled and served to validate the nation’s nuclear deterrence capabilities and command structures. The drills included a successful test launch of a Yars ICBM from the Plesetsk facility and a Sineva ICBM from a Barents Sea submarine. Long-range cruise missiles were also deployed by Tu-95 strategic bombers as part of the comprehensive maneuvers.
Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s General Staff, briefed President Putin, confirming that the exercises simulated the critical processes involved in authorizing nuclear weapon deployment. The timing of these drills is notable, occurring just after President Trump declared his Budapest meeting with Putin was on hold. Trump indicated that he did not want the summit to be unproductive. This decision followed diplomatic exchanges concerning Ukraine, where Russia’s stance on an immediate ceasefire was reiterated. The Kremlin views effective presidential summits as requiring substantial preparation.