Russia Conducts Strategic Nuclear Forces Drill Under Putin’s Supervision

Russia held a scheduled strategic nuclear forces exercise under the supervision of President Vladimir Putin, Orda.kz reports, citing the Kremlin's Press Service.

The training included procedures for authorizing the use of nuclear weapons, according to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

During the exercise, launches were carried out of a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a Sineva ballistic missile from a submarine in the Barents Sea, and air-launched cruise missiles from Tu-95MS aircraft.

The Kremlin claims the exercises were successful.

These reports come amid uncertainty surrounding planned talks between senior U.S. and Russian officials, including a potential presidential-level meeting in Budapest, Hungary. 

Russian officials have said no date was ever set, and the meetings were still in preparation, while Trump told reporters that he has not yet made a final decision about holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.