After President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s nuclear forces to be put on high alert, nuclear submarines and mobile missile launchers set off for drills.
AP News reported, “Russian nuclear submarines sailed off for drills in the Barents Sea and mobile missile launchers roamed snow forests Tuesday in Siberia”.
It was said in a statement from Russia’s Northern Fleet that the submarines were involved in exercises designed to “train maneuvering in stormy conditions”.
AP also noted that “several warships tasked with protecting northwest Russia’s Kola Peninsula, where several naval bases are located, would join the maneuvers”.
Unites of the Strategic Missile Forces dispersed intercontinental ballistic missile launchers in forests to practice secret deployment.
The military did not specify if the drills were directly linked to the Sunday order amid Russia’s war with Ukraine.
Russia has been condemned internationally for the invasion, with the U.S. and other nations imposing strict sanctions.
In his address, Putin said his decision to put forces on heightened alert was influenced by “aggressive statements” from NATO and sanctions.
Although Putin’s actions were seen as escalatory, President Biden said he doesn’t think Americans should be concerned about the possibility of nuclear war.