Russia "Successful Launch of Ballistic Missiles as Part of Strategic Nuclear Exercises" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 19th (local time), Russia launched ballistic missiles as part of a strategic nuclear exercise, Sputnik News reported.

The Kremlin stated that the Aerospace Forces successfully launched several missiles during the exercise, including the hypersonic missile "Kinzhal." Additionally, "Iskander" missiles were launched from the training ground in the southern Astrakhan region, and cruise missiles were fired from ships and submarines of the Northern Fleet and the Black Sea Fleet. Furthermore, the intercontinental ballistic missile "Yars" was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the north, and the submarine-launched ballistic missile "Sineva" was launched in the Barents Sea. It was added that all targets were hit during this exercise.

Russia began the strategic nuclear exercise on the orders of President Vladimir Putin. President Putin is reported to have observed the exercise from the Ministry of Defense situation room. Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the day before that "under the leadership of President Putin, the strategic deterrence forces will conduct nuclear force exercises on the 19th, including ballistic missile and cruise missile launch tests." The Ministry of Defense stated, "The exercise involves the Aerospace Forces, Southern Military District, Strategic Missile Forces, Northern Fleet, Black Sea Fleet, and other troops and equipment."

At the time, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, emphasized that this exercise is a regular training and that several countries were notified of the plan in advance, so there is no reason to raise concerns among other countries. In fact, Russia has conducted strategic nuclear force exercises annually. Typically, as part of this exercise, submarines from the Northern Fleet and Pacific Fleet, as well as the Strategic Missile Forces, have conducted intercontinental ballistic missile launch drills. However, this year's exercise is attracting special attention as it is taking place at a time when tensions between Russia and the West have peaked due to the Ukraine situation.

Russia, which has deployed more than 130,000 troops near the Ukraine border, is conducting large-scale exercises involving ground forces, navy, and air force in areas close to Ukraine and the Black Sea, as well as joint exercises in northern Belarus near Ukraine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.