Russian President Vladimir Putin began exercises of strategic deterrence forces with launches of ballistic missiles. Vladimir Putin is watching the exercises together with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko from the situation center in the Kremlin. This was announced by the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov to the RIA Novosti agency.
During the exercises, the launches of the Kinzhal hypersonic aeroballistic missiles, the Kalibr and Iskander cruise missiles, the Zirkon hypersonic missile, the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, and the Sineva ballistic missile took place. The military practiced strikes against land and sea targets.
Also, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that during the exercises they practice the use of nuclear weapons. “The main goal of the ongoing exercise is to work out actions to inflict guaranteed defeat on the enemy,” Mr. Shoigu reported to Vladimir Putin.
The exercises were planned earlier. During the exercises, we checked the readiness of military command and control bodies, launch crews, crews of warships and strategic missile carriers. The exercises involved the means of the Aerospace Forces, the Southern Military District, the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Black Sea Fleets. The exercises are held under the leadership of Vladimir Putin.
Alexander Lukashenko is in Moscow on an official visit to discuss issues related to the Union State. At a joint press conference after the talks, Vladimir Putin said that he would give Mr. Lukashenko the opportunity to “command” the strategic nuclear forces.
More details about the visit can be found in Kommersant’s material “Who is the top of the Supreme.”