Strategic Nuclear Forces Exercises Started by Russia Are the Largest in History

According to the statement of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the exercises will last three days — from May 19 to May 21. Launches of ballistic and cruise missiles are planned for training grounds in Russia.

The Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, the long-range aviation command, and forces of the Leningrad and Central Military Districts will participate in the exercises.

In total, according to the Ministry of Defense's statement, more than 64,000 military personnel, over 7,800 units of weapons, military and special equipment will be involved in the exercises, including more than 200 missile launchers, more than 140 aircraft, 73 ships, and 13 submarines.

On Monday, a training of military units for the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support began in Belarus.

According to the statement of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the exercises will practice the joint preparation and use of nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus.

How Nuclear Forces Exercises Were Conducted in Previous Years

Павялічыць

2025. The last time Russian military personnel practiced the use of nuclear weapons was at the end of October last year as part of a one-day training of strategic nuclear forces (held annually in October). During the training, an intercontinental ballistic missile "Yars" was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a ballistic missile "Sineva" from the submarine "Bryansk" in the Barents Sea, and a "Burevestnik" missile from a Tu-95 bomber.

A month prior, joint Russian-Belarusian strategic exercises "Zapad-2025" took place. They lasted four days — from September 12 to September 16. According to Putin's statement, 100,000 military personnel, about 10,000 weapon systems, 333 aircraft, and 247 ships participated in the exercises. The training included practicing the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons and the deployment of "Oreshnik" missile systems. No reports were made regarding the practice of using strategic nuclear weapons during the exercises.

2024. A one-day training of strategic nuclear forces at the end of October involved two submarines, Tu-95 aircraft, and a "Yars" launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

In May, June, July, and August, non-strategic nuclear forces exercises were held in three stages. They lasted at least seven days (May 21, June 11-13, and July 31-August 2). The Belarusian army participated in the exercises alongside Russian military personnel. The exact number of military personnel and equipment involved in the training was not reported. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the participation of aviation, which launched "Kinzhal" missiles, "Iskander-M" missile systems, and Navy ships, which practiced cruise missile launches.

2023, 2022, 2020. Russia conducted four one-day strategic nuclear forces trainings in December 2020, in February and October 2022, and in October 2023.

In December 2020, one submarine, Tu-160 and Tu-95MS aircraft participated, and a "Yars" launch was practiced. In October 2022 and October 2023, one submarine, Tu-95 aircraft participated, and "Yars" launches were conducted from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The training in February 2022, a few days before the invasion of Ukraine, involved forces and means of the Aerospace Forces, the Northern and Black Sea Fleets.

2021. Russia did not conduct such exercises.

2019. In October 2019, three-day strategic nuclear forces exercises "Grom-2019" took place. They involved about 12,000 military personnel, 213 Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) launchers, 105 aircraft, including five strategic missile carriers, 15 surface ships and five nuclear submarines, as well as 310 units of combat and special equipment.

The "Grom-2019" exercises became the largest in the post-Soviet history of Russia, wrote "Profil" magazine.

"Izvestia" wrote that "the 'Grom-2019' exercises were marked by the most massive launches of ballistic and cruise missiles in all post-Soviet history."

• 0
• 0
• 3
• 5
• 2
• 0
• 1
• 0