MOSCOW, May 22. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus held large-scale nuclear deterrence exercises, drawing close attention from NATO; Cuba is preparing its population for possible tensions with the United States; and Moscow seeks a new model of relations with Washington based on mutual respect, recognition of interests, and dialogue despite ongoing political tensions. These stories topped Friday’s newspaper headlines across Russia.
Izvestia: Russia-Belarus nuclear drills spotlight Moscow’s strategic triad and expose NATO concerns
Launches of the Yars, Kinzhal, Zircon and Sineva missile systems, the deployment of a nuclear-powered submarine, operations involving strategic aviation and heightened scrutiny from NATO – Russia and Belarus have concluded a joint exercise of their nuclear deterrence forces. All elements of Russia’s nuclear triad took part in the drills. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the strategic forces as a guarantor of the Union State’s security and stressed that the country would continue to develop them without entering a new arms race, Izvestia writes.
More than 64,000 personnel, over 7,800 units of weapons and military equipment, including more than 200 missile launchers, over 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships and 13 submarines – eight of them strategic – took part in the exercises.
