Russia has launched massive three-day strategic nuclear exercises involving 64,000 troops, 7,800 military assets, more than 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 warships and 13 submarines amid soaring tensions with NATO. The drills, running from May 19 to May 21, are focused on preparing Russian forces to respond to external threats and practice nuclear force deployment under combat conditions. Moscow also confirmed that troops will train on using tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus, a NATO-bordering ally. The exercises come just a day after Belarus began its own nuclear drills with Russia, further escalating fears of a wider confrontation between Moscow and the West.

Belarus' Ministry of Defence says military units are 'training in the combat use of nuclear weapons' in 'cooperation' with Russia

Russia deployed Oreshnik, its latest hypersonic, nuclear-capable missile, to Belarus last year

Russia’s army on Tuesday began three days of nuclear weapons drills involving thousands of troops across the country, as Kyiv escalates its drone attacks