Russia Conducts Full Nuclear Drill Amid Rising Tensions With NATO

By The Eastern Times Bureau | October 23, 2025

📰 News in Short

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday oversaw large-scale nuclear exercises involving land, sea, and air-based strategic forces, marking one of the country’s most extensive drills in recent years. The maneuvers, which included launches of ICBMs, submarine-based missiles, and nuclear-capable bombers, coincided with NATO’s own nuclear readiness exercise, intensifying global security concerns.

📰 News in Detail

Moscow / October 23, 2025:
Russia has launched a major strategic nuclear triad drill, testing all components of its nuclear deterrent system under the direct supervision of President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin said the exercise was aimed at evaluating the readiness of command structures and the response chain for authorising nuclear use.

The Defence Ministry confirmed successful test launches of several weapons systems, including the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, which hit its target at the Kura Test Range in Kamchatka.
Simultaneously, the Bryansk nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea fired a Sineva submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Strategic Tu-95MS bombers also launched nuclear-capable cruise missiles as part of the drill.

According to Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the exercise was meant to “practice procedures for the use and control of strategic nuclear weapons under combat-like conditions.”

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💡 Why It Matters

The timing of the exercise has drawn global attention as it coincides with NATO’s annual nuclear readiness drills in Europe. Analysts view Moscow’s move as a strategic signal to the West amid deteriorating relations over the war in Ukraine and new rounds of U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil and defense industries.

Western officials fear that the simultaneous exercises by Russia and NATO could heighten the risk of miscalculation. The drills also underline Moscow’s intent to demonstrate military readiness and project nuclear strength to both domestic and international audiences.

⚙️ What’s Next

Defense experts believe the exercise forms part of Russia’s annual nuclear deterrence posture review, but its scale and public visibility suggest a message of strategic defiance.
The development may further strain arms control diplomacy, particularly as existing treaties like New START near expiry.

Neighboring states and NATO members are expected to step up surveillance and maintain a heightened state of alert in response to Moscow’s show of force.

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