Russia conducts huge exercise with its nuclear forces

MOSCOW — The Russian military says it has conducted a massive test of the nation’s strategic nuclear forces involving multiple missile launches.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday's maneuvers featured launches of ballistic missiles by the navy's nuclear submarines from the Barents Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk.

As part of the drills, long-range bombers also fired cruise missiles, the ministry said, adding that all missiles hit their designated practice targets.

RELATED

300,000 troops, 900 tanks: It’s called the most massive Russian military exercise since the Cold War, and China’s role is growing

The upcoming exercise will be three times the size of last year's closely watched drills and perhaps bigger than the Soviet Union's largest training event.

By Todd South

It added that Russia's early warning system successfully spotted and tracked all launches.

The Defense Ministry noted that the exercise offered a chance to test the chain of command from its main control room down to military units.

The drills are the latest in a series of Russian war games conducted amid rising tensions with the West.

In Other News

VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026

The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.

Suicides among veterans remain unchanged despite federal focus

The figures are the latest available from federal census data and suggest limited progress on the issue of suicide prevention by Veterans Affairs leaders.

Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans

Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.

Live in the Tricare West Region? Do this before Dec. 31.

Beneficiaries in the West Region who don't provide recurring payment information could risk losing Tricare coverage.

Senate finalizes plans for a massive junior enlisted pay boost in 2025

Troops ranked E-4 and below would see a 14.5% raise and all other troops a 4.5% raise under legislation headed to the White House.

Load More