Russia rehearses ‘nuclear strike‘, set to withdraw from nuclear ban treaty

Russian president Vladimir Putin oversaw ballistic missile drills remotely, the Kremlin said. This comes hours after Russia moved to revoke its ratification of a landmark nuclear test ban treaty.

The exercise, which involved the test launch of missiles from a land-based silo, a nuclear submarine, and from long-range bomber aircraft, comes as Moscow is locked in what it casts as an existential standoff with the West over Ukraine.

During the dragging conflict of Russia-Ukraine that has been going on for 20 months, Putin and Russian officials have given mixed signals about the possible use of nuclear weapons, prompting alarm in the West.

Russian state television showed the longtime leader being briefed by Shoigu and armed forces chief Valery Gerasimov, who spoke by video link. “Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,” Sergei said, addressing Putin. “Training is being conducted to direct the Armed Forces of the Federation, during which the task of delivering a massive nuclear strike by strategic offensive forces in retaliation to an enemy nuclear strike will be practised.”

Speaking to lawmakers before the vote, deputy foreign minister said, “As our president said, we must be on alert, and if the United States moves towards the start of nuclear tests, we will have to respond here in the same way.”

The bill to deratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT was approved by 156 votes to zero in the upper house after the lower house passed it unanimously. It now goes to Russian president Vladimir Putin for signing.

Earlier had said that it will not resume testing unless Washington does. Meanwhile, CNN published satellite images last month showing that Russia, the United States and China have all expanded their nuclear test sites in recent years.

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