Russia's armed forces started a three-day nuclear weapons drill on May 19 involving over 65,000 troops and more than 7,800 pieces of weapons and equipment, running through May 21 across Russian and Belarusian territory [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. The Russian Defence Ministry said the exercise covers preparation and use of nuclear forces in response to threats of aggression and includes joint training with nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus [1, 2].

More than 200 missile launchers, alongside aircraft, surface ships, submarines, and nuclear submarines, are participating in the drills. Military assets include roughly 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships, and 13 submarines, eight of which are strategic nuclear submarines [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9]. Russia plans to test-launch ballistic and cruise missiles during the exercises [1, 2, 3].

The drills involve key units such as the Strategic Rocket Forces, Northern and Pacific Fleets, long-range aviation, and military districts including Leningrad and Central [4, 5]. The Russian Defence Ministry said the exercises will address issues related to using nuclear forces deployed on Belarusian territory following Russia's deployment of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik (Hazelnut) missile to Belarus [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9].

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the drills just hours before departing for a two-day official visit to China on May 19, where he met with President Xi Jinping [1, 10, 5, 11, 8, 9]. Putin stated that development of nuclear forces remains an "absolute priority" for Russia [1].

The drills come amid increased Ukrainian drone attacks, including one of the largest on Russian territory on May 18 that killed at least four people near Moscow [1, 8, 9]. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of preparing a new offensive from Belarus, prompting Ukraine to strengthen defenses along its northern border [1]. These military activities follow the expiration of the New START nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the US in February 2026, which had previously limited nuclear weapons deployments [1, 2, 3, 4, 6].

The exercises are scheduled to conclude May 21, with ballistic missile test launches expected during the final days of the drills.