Russia is set to conduct its annual nuclear drills, dubbed Grom (Thunder), which are routinely conducted in late October.
Russian media reports say that as part of the previous strategic deterrence force drills that were conducted on February 19 this year, Kinzhal (Dagger) hypersonic missiles, Kalibr (Caliber) cruise missiles and Tsirkon winged, hypersonic anti-ship missiles were launched at sea and land targets.
In the Astrakhan oblast, Iskander missile was launched and Sineva and Yars ballistic missiles isles were launched at Kura firing range in Kamchatka, according to RBC.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has said Russia has given notice that it intends to stage routine drills of its nuclear capabilities amid heightened tensions over the war in Ukraine.
The Pentagon and State Department on Tuesday said Russia had complied with the terms of the last U.S.-Russia arms control agreement in notifying Washington of the upcoming tests.
“The U.S. was notified,” said Pentagon spokesman Air Force Gen. Pat Ryder. “And as we've highlighted before, this is a routine annual exercise by Russia. And so in this regard, Russia is complying with its arms control obligations and transparency commitments to make those notifications, and so that is something that we will continue to keep an eye on.”
At the State Department, spokesman Ned Price said the notification was "important" even as “Russia engages in unprovoked aggression and reckless nuclear rhetoric.”
“These notification measures do ensure that we are not taken by surprise and reduce the risks of misperception,” he said.
Neither the Pentagon nor the State Department offered details about the Russian notification, which came as Russia accuses Ukraine of plotting to use a dirty bomb on its territory, a move the Kremlin says could lead to nuclear retaliation.
