The military operation involved tens of thousands of troops along with advanced missile systems.
Russia’s nuclear drill with Belarus has entered into the final stage. Moscow’s military trucks loaded with nuclear missiles were also seen in action. Russia’s nuclear-powered submarines also took part in the three-day nuclear drill.
The troops also practised on how to deliver nuclear munitions to field storage locations at the position of a missile brigade of Belarus.
Reports revealed that Russia’s nuclear triad also took part in the drill.
Ground-mobile launchers for intercontinental ballistic missiles
The troops showcased ground-mobile launchers for intercontinental ballistic missiles being escorted by security units, the deployment of the Imperator Aleksandr III nuclear submarine in the Pacific Ocean, and preparations for a test flight by a MiG-31K jet carrying a nuclear-capable Kinzhal hypersonic missile, reported RT News.
“The recent maneuvers and all the actions of the two countries’ leaders that preceded them convincingly demonstrate the self-sufficiency and strong defense capabilities of Russia and Belarus, while at the same time, they are willing to engage in dialogue,” said Russian Federation Council Speaker and Chairperson of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Council Valentina Matviyenko.
☢️ Russia says it has moved nuclear warheads to field storage sites in Belarus
The Russian Defense Ministry claims the drills involve practicing the “joint use” of nuclear weapons stationed on Belarusian territory.
Whenever things get difficult on the battlefield, the Kremlin… pic.twitter.com/jQ0PEjuDc5
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 21, 2026
Russian experts have also highlighted that demonstrating the possibility of launching a nuclear strike in the event of a threat to the existence or integrity of the country could have a sobering effect on adversaries.
The military operation involved tens of thousands of troops along with advanced missile systems, combat aircraft, naval vessels, and submarines capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Russian defense authorities stated that the exercises tested operational preparedness, command coordination, and rapid deployment procedures for both strategic and tactical forces.
Among the weapons systems reportedly featured were Russia’s Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system and hypersonic missiles such as the Kinzhal and Zircon. These systems are considered central to Russia’s modern defense strategy because of their long range and high-speed strike capabilities.
Drills intended to ensure security and military preparedness
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the drills were intended to ensure national security and military preparedness in what Moscow describes as an increasingly unstable international environment. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also participated in the command exercises, reflecting the deepening defense partnership between the two neighboring countries.
“The leaders of European countries have some kind of confidence in their own immortality. I don’t quite understand why a number of state leaders suddenly decided that nuclear weapons cannot be used,” Russia Yevgeny Poddubny, military correspondent and Deputy CEO of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) told TASS.
“Therefore, the [strategic nuclear force] exercise is, first and foremost, a direct ‘silent dialogue’ with those European globalists who, perhaps, somewhere deep down, have decided that they can attack the Kaliningrad Region or that they can transfer weapons systems to Ukraine that would allow them to inflict serious harm on us.”
The exercises took place during a period of heightened military activity related to the war in Ukraine. Russian officials have repeatedly accused Western countries of escalating tensions through military support for Kyiv and increased NATO activity near Russia’s borders.
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Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.