Russia begins drills in response to Western ‘provocations, threats’

The military exercise will involve non-strategic nuclear weapons

Moscow, Russia - Russia said on Monday that it began preparations for a military exercise involving the country’s non-strategic nuclear weapons in response to what it described as Western ‘provocations and threats’.

A statement by the Russian Defence Ministry said that preparations began for holding an exercise in the near future with missile formations of the country’s southern military district, together with the involvement of the country’s aviation and navy.

Indicating that the exercise was ordered by President Vladimir Putin, the statement said it aimed to ‘ increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions’.

“During the exercise, a set of activities will be carried out to practice the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” the statement further said.

It also said that the exercise aims to ensure Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity ‘in response to provocative statements and threats by individual Western officials against the Russian Federation’.

Bill banning ‘foreign agents’

Besides, Russia on Monday adopted a bill banning its citizens designated as ‘foreign agents’ from participating in elections in the country.

The Russian State Duma said in a statement that the lower house of parliament adopted amendments to the law ‘ On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right to Participate in a Referendum of Citizens of the Russian Federation’.

Indicating the bill was adopted in the second and third reading, the statement said the bill bans ‘foreign agents’ from participating in elections at all levels.

“In accordance with the law, by the time the documents required for registration are submitted, the candidate must cease to be a foreign agent. The norm will be relevant for elections to federal bodies of state power, regional authorities, public authorities of the federal territory and local governments,” the statement further said. It also said that ‘foreign agents’ will not be able to act as observers in an election or authorised representatives of candidates and electoral associations.

Six killed in drone attack

Meanwhile, at least six people were killed and 35 injured due to a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s border region of Belgorod, local authorities said on Monday.

Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram that two buses and a passenger car transporting people to work were attacked by drones near the village of Berezovka in the region’s Borisovsky district.

“Unfortunately, as a result of the explosion, six people died on the spot … I express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased residents,” Gladkov said.

Preparations began for holding an exercise in the near future with missile formations of the country’s southern military district, together with the involvement of aviation and navy DEFENCE MINISTRY