Russia begins nuclear drill as US approves long range rockets to Ukraine amid ongoing war

As the United States is set to officially approve the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) for Ukraine that could strike Russian targets roughly 50 miles, Moscow’s military troops launched a nuclear drill in the Ivanovo province in the northeast near the Uvod river. Russian Ministry of Defence on Wednesday, June 1, confirmed that the drills were being held by nuclear forces on Russia’s own territory with more than 1,000 soldiers. Russian MoD described the nuclear drills as  "intense maneuvers" using 100 vehicles armed with Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers. 

Moscow’s nuclear drills were launched after Washington approved an estimated $700m package of security assistance for the Kyiv’s forces. The supply will include air surveillance radars, additional Javelin anti-tank weapons, anti-armor weapons, artillery rounds, helicopters, anti-tank weapon systems and medium-range high mobility artillery rocket systems as well as spare parts of weaponry. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had been requesting the long range missile systems for months, although Pentagon had remained skeptical over fears that Ukraine may launch the rockets into the Russian territory. 

Russian troops launch thermonuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile RS 24 during nuclear drill 

As a part of the eleventh package of aid, Washington earlier yesterday confirmed that it will be sending Ukraine US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS to protect itself against the Russian assaults. HIMARS will be equipped with munitions that will help Ukraine launch rockets about 80 kilometers (49 miles) at the Russian troops. US officials although clarified that Washington is “not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders,” and is “not seeking to prolong the war.”

In a stark reminder of the country's nuclear might, Russia started nuclear capable military drill launching cruise missiles, hypersonic cruise missiles and thermonuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile RS 24 to demonstrate readiness of Russia’s deterrent forces. As he launched a "speacial military operation' inside Ukraine, Russia's Presdient Vladimir Putin ordered his defence minister and the chief of the military to put nuclear deterrent forces in a ‘special regime of combat duty’. Putin had accused NATO of making “aggressive statements” against Russia, as well as condemned the hard-hitting, West coordinated financial sanctions. Russia's presdient had also ordered the Kremlin officials to kick start the nuclear war evacuation drill as he had put the “doomsday” planes including Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdome on standby.