Russia shows troops moving nuclear warheads in major exercise
Russia has showcased footage of troops transporting nuclear warheads as part of a significant military exercise. The Defense Ministry stated that the drills are aimed at achieving high levels of combat readiness for nuclear weapons use. This exercise involves a large number of military personnel and equipment, occurring amid heightened tensions with the West over Ukraine.
- ▪Russia displayed troops moving nuclear warheads to mobile Iskander-M launch systems.
- ▪The Defense Ministry reported that the exercise aims to prepare for potential nuclear weapon deployment.
- ▪The three-day exercise involves 64,000 military personnel and various military assets across Russia and Belarus.
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Russia shows troops moving nuclear warheads in major exerciseSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 20, 2026, 03:14 PMUpdated May 20, 2026, 03:14 PMMOSCOW, May 20 - Russia on Wednesday showed what it said was footage of troops delivering nuclear warheads to mobile Iskander-M launch systems, loading them and moving them undetected to launch sites as part of a major nuclear exercise.In a statement released to state media, the Defence Ministry said its forces had practised bringing units to "the highest levels of combat readiness for the use of nuclear weapons".The three-day exercise, which started on Tuesday and is taking place across Russia and Belarus, comes at a time when Moscow is locked in what it says is an existential struggle with the West over…
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