<h3 data-start="190" data-end="267">Russia Flexes Nuclear Muscle with Strategic Drill Supervised by Putin</h3>
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Russia conducted a comprehensive nuclear readiness drill on 22 October 2025, involving all three legs of its strategic nuclear triad &mdash; land, sea, and air &mdash; under the direct supervision of President Vladimir Putin. The exercise, described by the Kremlin as &ldquo;planned and routine&rdquo;, tested the nation&rsquo;s command, control, and deterrence capabilities amid an increasingly volatile global climate.
In a televised conference with senior military commanders, President Putin stated,
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&ldquo;Today, we are conducting a planned &ndash; I want to emphasise, planned &ndash; nuclear forces command and control exercise.&rdquo;
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The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the exercise simulated full-scale nuclear strike authorisation procedures, ensuring the operational readiness of strategic forces. All assigned objectives were reportedly met.
<h4 data-start="1115" data-end="1139">Triad in Action</h4>
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Land-based Launch: A RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was fired from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia&rsquo;s north, striking a target at the Kura range in the Far East, covering approximately 5,700 kilometres. The Yars system, capable of carrying multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs), forms the backbone of Russia&rsquo;s ground-based deterrent.
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Sea-based Launch: A Sineva submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was fired from the Bryansk-classnuclear-powered submarine in the Barents Sea, marking the naval component of the drill.
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Air-based Launch: Tu-95MS strategic bombers launched air-launched cruise missiles, completing the triad coordination.
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<h4 data-start="1899" data-end="1925">Strategic Context</h4>
The Kremlin noted that the exercise reaffirmed Russia&rsquo;s ability to maintain nuclear parity and strategic deterrence, echoing Putin&rsquo;s earlier remarks that the country&rsquo;s arsenal &ldquo;enables us to uphold the global balance of power.&rdquo;
While Moscow insists the drills were routine, they coincide with heightened East-West tensions, including fresh U.S. sanctions on Russian oil entities and the postponement of the planned Putin&ndash;Trump summit in Budapest.
Analysts view the exercise as strategic signalling&mdash;a reminder of Moscow&rsquo;s nuclear reach and readiness at a time when Western alliances are consolidating their own defence postures. Western officials, however, characterised the event as &ldquo;standard Russian posturing&rdquo;.
Despite the tension, no international incidents were reported, and the Kremlin declared all launch objectives achieved.
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Moscow conducts large-scale nuclear triad exercise amid rising global tensions

Putin Oversees Russia’s Nuclear Drill

Moscow conducts large-scale nuclear triad exercise amid rising global tensions

October 23, 2025 | 07:10 IST