Russia Launches Massive Nuclear Drills While Putin Visits China

Russia and Belarus began large-scale joint military exercises on May 19 involving all components of the strategic nuclear triad in what officials described as drills conducted under conditions of a "threat of aggression.” The exercises started while Russian President Vladimir Putin remained on an official state visit to China, a detail that military analysts immediately highlighted as politically significant. Military expert Dmitry Kornev noted that the timing demonstrates Russia's ability to issue nuclear launch orders even when the commander-in-chief is outside the country.