ALBAWABA - According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, President Vladimir Putin has directed the Russian military to conduct nuclear weapon simulations involving the navy and troops stationed near Ukraine, the ministry announced Monday.
"During the exercise, a set of measures will be taken to practise the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons," the defence ministry said.
Non-strategic nuclear weapons, often known as tactical nuclear weapons, are intended for use on the battlefield and can be delivered by missile.
The ministry stated that the exercises would take place "in the near future" and were aimed at protecting Russia's territorial integrity in the face of "threats by certain Western officials".
Aircraft and naval units will take part, as will troops from the Southern Military District, which borders Ukraine and includes the occupied Ukrainian regions, according to the statement.
During the offensive in Ukraine, Western diplomats have grown increasingly concerned about the Kremlin's nuclear powers, with Putin repeatedly referring to Russia's nuclear policy.
