Russia has tested its ability to deliver a massive retaliatory nuclear strike, Sergei Shoigu has said on state TV.
“Practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles took place during the training,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
Mr Shoigu was seen talking to Vladimir Putin about the exercise on state TV.
The Kremlin said that a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile had been fired from a test site in Russia’s far east, a nuclear-powered submarine had launched a ballistic missile from the Barents Sea and Tu-95MS long-range bombers had test-fired air-launched cruise missiles.
It comes after both houses of Russia’s parliament unanimously approved legislation revoking the country’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which Moscow says brings it into line with the US.
Russia said it is not planning to conduct a nuclear test, and would not do so unless the US does.
Powerful explosions felt near nuclear power plant
Powerful explosions shook the area near Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant overnight, the UN nuclear watchdog has said.
The blasts shattered windows but had no impact on operations or its connection to the grid, the International Atomic Energy Agency added.
It said the explosions also temporarily cut power to some off-site radiation monitoring stations.
“The fact that numerous windows at the site were destroyed shows just how close it was. Next time, we may not be so fortunate,” Rafael Grossi, its director general, said.
