Russia's military conducted exercises [9] with nuclear-capable missiles Oct. 25, shortly after [10] the State Duma unanimously voted to revoke [11] ratification of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty [12]. The Russian Strategic Missile Forces command claimed [13] the exercises were part of a regularly scheduled annual training drill held every October. But Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said [14] the exercises were to simulate a retaliatory nuclear strike to be carried out if Russia were attacked with nuclear firepower first. The Russian military widely publicized videos [15] of the exercises across state media. According to the Kremlin [16], the exercises were overseen by President Vladimir Putin from a Moscow command center.
The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which Russia signed in 2000, has never come into full force due to lack of ratification by eight countries, including the United States. Chairman of the Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, cited this as a major reason for revoking the ratification. On his Telegram account, Volodin called [18] US failure to sign the treaty a "double standard." (Jurist [19], BBC News [20])
NATO is meanwhile completing its own annual nuclear exercise, dubbed "Steadfast Noon [21]," with up to 60 aircraft carrying out a series of training flights over southern Europe for 10 days starting Oct. 16. (NATO [22])
The twin drills come amid an intensification of fighting in Ukraine. Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces has escalated significantly in and around the town of Avdiivka since Oct. 10. The town lies close to the city of Donetsk, which is controlled by Russia, making it a strategic point in the contest for control of Ukraine's Donbas region, which Russia has declared unilaterally annexed [23]. (PRI [24])
