Moscow, October 25, 2023 - Russian President Vladimir Putin directed military drills on Wednesday, including a simulation of a nuclear strike, marking more than 20 months since Russia's forces invaded Ukraine. The exercise, which aimed to establish parity with the United States, involved multiple practice launches of ballistic and cruise missiles.

The drills, overseen by Putin via video call with top military officials, simulated a nuclear strike in response to a nuclear attack. The Kremlin announced the exercise shortly after the upper house of the Russian parliament revoked the ratification of a global nuclear test ban, a move described by Moscow as a measure to maintain balance with the United States. The lower house had already approved the bill last week.

During the exercise, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was successfully fired from a test site in Russia's far east. Additionally, a nuclear-powered submarine launched a ballistic missile from the Barents Sea, while Tu-95MS long-range bombers test-fired air-launched cruise missiles, according to the Kremlin's statement.

The Russian defense ministry released video footage of the drills, showing the land and submarine-based missiles, as well as the nuclear-capable bomber aircraft taking off from an airfield and streaking into the night sky. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that the purpose of the drills was to practice dealing a massive nuclear strike with strategic offensive forces in response to a similar attack by an enemy.

The decision to rescind the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was marked by the Russian parliament's vote. Putin had previously warned of this move, stating that it mirrored the U.S.'s stance. The CTBT, adopted in 1996, aims to ban all nuclear explosions worldwide. However, it has not been fully implemented as several countries, including the U.S., China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran, and Egypt, have yet to ratify it.

Concerns have arisen regarding the possibility of Russia resuming nuclear tests to dissuade Western countries from providing military support to Ukraine. However, despite the de-ratification of the CTBT, Russia has reiterated its commitment to a 1992 moratorium on nuclear test blasts. Both Moscow and Washington have signed but not ratified the treaty.

Experts believe that Russia's decision to revoke the treaty is intended to instill fear and create a standoff with the West. Putin has acknowledged the arguments for conducting nuclear tests but has not formed a definitive opinion on the matter.

In response to U.S. proposals to resume dialogue on strategic stability and arms control issues, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Moscow is not ready to engage in such talks due to the current hostile policy towards Russia. Ryabkov emphasized the need for the U.S. to revise its approach before a return to a dialogue on strategic stability can occur.

As tensions between Russia and the West continue to rise over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Putin's oversight of the military drills has added further concern to an already volatile situation. The world watches closely as the international landscape witnesses an increase in nuclear posturing and geopolitical tensions.

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