By Isabel van Brugen, Newsweek, 6/13/24

Russia abruptly changed its nuclear drill scenario on Wednesday, moving it closer to NATO borders, a day after Moscow and its ally Belarus launched joint drills aimed at training their troops in tactical nuclear weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military drills in May in response to what the Kremlin has described as provocative statements and threats from the West.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on May 21 that the first stage of the drills had started involving the “practical testing of the preparation and use of nonstrategic nuclear weapons” in the country’s Southern Military District.

Moscow’s second stage of drills began on Tuesday alongside Belarusian troops.

In a statement shared on Telegram on Wednesday, Russia’s defense ministry said the country’s newly formed Leningrad Military District—stationed close to Finland and the Baltic States—had also joined the nuclear maneuvers. The district was announced in February in response to Finland joining the NATO alliance.

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