![Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals World Business Markets Sustainability Legal More My News Feedback Russia flexes nuclear muscles as tensions rise with NATO By Reuters May 21, 20266:19 AM GMT+1Updated 55 mins ago Item 2 of 6 Military trucks drive along a road during nuclear forces exercises at an unidentified location in Belarus, in this still image taken from handout footage released on May 21, 2026. Russia delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus as part of major nuclear drills, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Thursday. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS [2/6]Military trucks drive along a road during nuclear forces exercises at an unidentified location in Belarus, in this still image taken from handout footage released on May 21, 2026. Russia delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus as part of major nuclear drills, the... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more Summary Russia says it has delivered munitions to field storage unit Major nuclear war games taking place in Russia and Belarus Exercises come amid rising tensions in the Baltic Putin: nuclear weapon usage is the last resort MOSCOW, May 21 (Reuters) - Russia on Thursday delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus and showcased elements of its strategic nuclear forces, as tensions with European NATO members rose over the Ukraine war and drone activity in the Baltic. Moscow is conducting some of its biggest nuclear exercises in years, involving 64,000 people to drill its forces in](https://diasporadigitalmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ZO5Q6TU2XBNANAH6D2R4FGNRI4.avif "Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals World Business Markets Sustainability Legal More My News Feedback Russia flexes nuclear muscles as tensions rise with NATO By Reuters May 21, 20266:19 AM GMT+1Updated 55 mins ago Item 2 of 6 Military trucks drive along a road during nuclear forces exercises at an unidentified location in Belarus, in this still image taken from handout footage released on May 21, 2026. Russia delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus as part of major nuclear drills, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Thursday. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS [2/6]Military trucks drive along a road during nuclear forces exercises at an unidentified location in Belarus, in this still image taken from handout footage released on May 21, 2026. Russia delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus as part of major nuclear drills, the... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more Summary Russia says it has delivered munitions to field storage unit Major nuclear war games taking place in Russia and Belarus Exercises come amid rising tensions in the Baltic Putin: nuclear weapon usage is the last resort MOSCOW, May 21 (Reuters) - Russia on Thursday delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus and showcased elements of its strategic nuclear forces, as tensions with European NATO members rose over the Ukraine war and drone activity in the Baltic. Moscow is conducting some of its biggest nuclear exercises in years, involving 64,000 people to drill its forces in")
Russia has launched major nuclear exercises with Belarus and moved nuclear munitions to field storage sites, as tensions with NATO continue to rise over the war in Ukraine and increased military activity around the Baltic region.
The large-scale drills, described by Moscow as some of its biggest in recent years, involve about 64,000 personnel and are focused on preparing nuclear forces for what Russia calls a potential response to aggression.
The exercises, which began on Tuesday and will run for three days, include Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, long-range aviation units, the Northern and Pacific fleets, as well as military units from several regional commands in Russia and Belarus.
During the drills, Russia showcased parts of its nuclear arsenal, including Borei-class nuclear submarines, RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, MiG-31 fighter jets armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described nuclear weapons as a “last resort” but insisted that maintaining Russia’s nuclear triad remains essential for national security and strategic deterrence.
Russia also said a missile unit in Belarus was training with special munitions for the Iskander-M tactical missile system, including loading procedures for launch vehicles.
Although Russian nuclear exercises typically use dummy warheads, footage released by the defence ministry showed military convoys, submarines and missile systems actively participating in the operation.
The exercises come amid growing friction between Russia and NATO countries around the Baltic Sea.
Moscow has accused Baltic nations of allowing Ukraine to use their airspace to launch drone attacks into northern Russia — claims NATO has denied.
Baltic states, meanwhile, argue that Russia itself is redirecting Ukrainian drones into their territory.
The Kremlin also reacted angrily to comments from Lithuania’s foreign minister, Kestutis Budrys, who said NATO must demonstrate it can strike Russia’s heavily militarised Kaliningrad region if necessary.
Kaliningrad, located between Lithuania and Poland, serves as the headquarters of Russia’s Baltic Fleet and is seen as one of Moscow’s most strategically sensitive territories in Europe.
Russia has repeatedly used nuclear messaging throughout the Ukraine war to warn Western countries against deeper military involvement. Ukraine and several NATO leaders have dismissed the rhetoric as nuclear intimidation.
