Russia testing its newest hypersonic ballistic missile, missile launch pads, and nuclear-capable ballistic missiles as tensions soar in Ukraine. The Kremlin called the trials part of a planned exercise.
“All missiles hit their targets, confirming their performance objectives,” a Kremlin statement was quoted as saying AFP, Saturday (19/2). The Kremlin added that the drills included Tu-95 bombers as well as submarines.
Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and Interfax quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying the drills had begun. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko monitored the drills from the situation center in the Kremlin.
The Russian Defense Ministry said Friday that the troops and facilities of the Aerospace Forces, Southern Military District, Strategic Missile Forces, Northern and Black Sea Fleet will be involved in the exercise.
“Strategic deterrence force exercises were planned in advance to check the readiness of military command agencies, launch combat crews, warship crews and strategic missile carriers to carry out their duties, as well as the reliability of strategic nuclear and non-nuclear weapons forces,” the ministry said in a statement. CNN.
“Tomorrow we will even take part together in one of the serious events in this complex of military cooperation,” added Putin, speaking at a televised meeting with Lukashenko in Moscow yesterday.
(afp/pmg)
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