On Wednesday, Oct. 22, President Vladimir Putin supervised a nuclear‑triad exercise in Russia, launching unarmed intercontinental ballistic missiles and maneuverable weapons over land, sea, and air.
Putin Supervised Nuclear Forces Exercise
On Wednesday, October 22, President Vladimir Putin observed a nuclear‑triad exercise in Russia. The drill involved launches of unarmed intercontinental ballistic missiles and maneuverable weapons from air platforms, as reported by the Kremlin and the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda.
What Was Drilled in Russia
The exercise tested Russia’s strategic nuclear capabilities across land, sea, and air.
ICBM Launch from Plesetsk
An intercontinental ballistic missile (Jars) was fired from the State Test Cosmodrome in Plesetsk toward the Kura test range in Kamchatka. Officials say the missile travelled 5,700 km and hit the target area. The missile, introduced in 2009, is considered a core component of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces.
Submarine‑Launched Missile from the Barents Sea
The same type of missile, Siniva, was launched from a nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea. It has been manufactured since 2004 and entered service in 2007. The drill also included Tu‑95MS fighters that fired maneuverable missiles, though the specific missile names were not disclosed.
Training Objectives and Historical Context
The Kremlin said the training aimed to test the readiness of command units and the practical skills of operational staff in directing subordinate forces. Similar exercises had also taken place in recent years, including late October.
