Russia Holds Large-Scale Nuclear Drills as Putin Embarks on State Visit to China
NQ Score
3/100
N1 Content Completeness
3
AI Summary (NQ-processed)
On May 19, 2026, Russia's Ministry of Defence announced the start of a three-day nationwide nuclear weapons exercise, just hours before President Putin's departure for a state visit to China. The drill, mobilizing 64,000 personnel and 7,800 pieces of military equipment, is designed to practice the "readiness and use of nuclear forces in the event of aggression." It involves multiple military districts and fleets, and includes training with tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus. This occurs amid escalated drone attacks from Ukraine and after the expiration of the New START treaty with the U.S.