
The Russian military began a large-scale three-day nuclear drill on Tuesday, involving tens of thousands of troops and thousands of pieces of military equipment in the country's southern district, at a time when Ukraine has escalated drone attacks against the Russian oil sector.
The exercises also coincide with President Vladimir Putin's visit to China.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced that from May 19 to 21, the armed forces will conduct exercises on the preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of a threat of aggression.
According to the announcement, the exercises involve over 64,000 personnel and 7,800 pieces of military equipment, as well as ballistic and cruise missile launches from test ranges within Russian territory.
The ministry added that issues of joint coordination for the use of nuclear weapons deployed on the territory of Belarus will also be addressed during the exercises.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev's drone airstrikes are causing major damage to the Russian oil sector. He said Russian oil refining has fallen by about 10 percent in recent months, forcing companies to shut down some wells.
"Intensive Ukrainian drone attacks are damaging the Russian oil sector and Moscow's economy," Zelensky said, underlining that this is part of a strategy to weaken Russia's financial capabilities.