War in Ukraine: Russia simulated nuclear-capable missile launches
Steph Deschamps / May 5, 2022
Moscow said Wednesday that its military had simulated nuclear-capable missile launches in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, as Russian forces continue their offensive in Ukraine.
The announcement comes on the 70th day of Russia's intervention in Ukraine, which has left thousands dead and caused the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, with over 13 million people displaced.
After sending troops to Ukraine in late February, Russian President Vladimir Putin made thinly veiled threats suggesting a willingness to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday, during military maneuvers in this Baltic Sea enclave between EU members Poland and Lithuania, Russia simulated electronic launches of nuclear-capable Iskander mobile ballistic missile systems, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Russian forces conducted single and multiple strikes on targets that simulated missile system launchers, airfields, protected infrastructure, military equipment and command posts of a fictitious enemy, the statement said.
After conducting the electronic firing, the military maneuvered to change position to avoid a possible retaliatory strike, according to the Defense Ministry.
Combat units also practiced operations under radiation and chemical contamination conditions.
More than 100 military personnel participated in these exercises.