- Vladimir Putin has ordered drills involving Russia’s nuclear forces in which they simulated a massive strike on the West.
- The barrage of ballistic and cruise missiles fired in the “Operation Thunder” exercises comes as a US official has warned of “troubling developments” involving Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the drills – codenamed “Grom” or “Thunder” – simulated a massive nuclear strike by Russia in retaliation for an attack on its soil.
- Video released by the Russian-military run Zvezda website showed armed forces personnel in front of computers launching a Yars ballistic missile.
