Russia began a major three-day military exercise on May 19, 2026, involving nuclear-capable forces and rehearsing launch procedures across Russian and Belarusian territory [1, 2, 3, 4]. The drills include about 64,000 personnel, more than 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships, and 13 submarines, including eight strategic missile subs [1, 3].

Russian troops moved and loaded nuclear warheads onto mobile Iskander-M tactical missile launchers, rehearsing covert relocation and launch protocols [1, 3]. The Iskander-M missiles have a range of up to 500 kilometers [1]. In Belarus, Russian forces delivered and deployed nuclear warheads to multiple sites, marking the first time Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has participated in joint nuclear weapon rehearsals with Russia [1, 2, 3, 4]. Lukashenko said, "We threaten absolutely no one. But we have such weapons, and we’re ready in every possible way to defend our common fatherland from [the western Belarusian city of] Brest to [Russia’s Pacific port of] Vladivostok" [4].

The exercises featured the launch of a Yars intercontinental hypersonic missile carrying three nuclear warheads, which flew about 5,750 kilometers from northern Russia to the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Pacific [4]. Russian Aerospace Forces also practiced loading special warheads on Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and conducted aerial patrols during the drills [5]. Key military units involved include the Strategic Missile Forces, Northern and Pacific Fleets, Long-Range Aviation, and multiple military districts [5].

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, "It’s important to further boost the level of readiness of strategic and tactical nuclear forces" amid tensions with NATO and the war in Ukraine [4]. The drills aim to raise the combat readiness of Russia's nuclear-capable units to the highest level [1, 3, 4].

The exercises ran from May 19 to May 21, during which Russian forces released footage showing the loading of nuclear warheads on Iskander-M launchers on May 20 [1, 3]. On May 21, activity continued with Strategic Missile Forces maneuvers and Kinzhal missile loading drills [5]. President Lukashenko remained engaged throughout the joint rehearsals [4].