रूस ने यूक्रेनी ड्रोन हमलों में वृद्धि के बीच विशाल परमाणु अभ्यास शुरू किया – वैश्विक सुरक्षा के लिए निहितार्थ

<h3>Overview</h3> <p>On <strong>19 May 2026</strong>, Russia began a three‑day drill of its <span class="key-term" data-definition="Nuclear forces — Military assets capable of delivering nuclear weapons, central to strategic deterrence (GS2: Polity)">nuclear forces</span>. The exercise includes practice launches of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ballistic missile — A missile that follows a high‑arc trajectory and is often nuclear‑capable; important for strategic strike capability (GS2: Polity)">ballistic missile</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Cruise missile — A guided missile that flies at low altitude, can be nuclear‑capable, and is used for precision strikes (GS2: Polity)">cruise missile</span> and involves a large number of troops, aircraft, ships and submarines.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>64,000 troops, &gt;200 missile launchers, &gt;140 aircraft, 73 warships and 13 submarines take part.</li> <li>Eight submarines carry nuclear‑tipped <span class="key-term" data-definition="Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) — Long‑range missile that can deliver nuclear warheads across continents; a key element of nuclear deterrence (GS2: Polity)">intercontinental ballistic missile</span>s.</li> <li>Co‑ordination with <span class="key-term" data-definition="Belarus — Eastern European neighbour of Russia, hosting Russian nuclear weapons and cooperating in joint drills (GS2: Polity)">Belarus</span>, which hosts the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Oreshnik missile system — Russia’s latest intermediate‑range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, deployed in Belarus (GS2: Polity)">Oreshnik missile system</span>.</li> <li>Drills follow a surge in Ukrainian <span class="key-term" data-definition="Drone attacks — Use of unmanned aerial vehicles to strike targets; in this context, Ukrainian drones targeting Russian infrastructure (GS3: Defence)">drone attacks</span> that killed three civilians in Moscow’s suburbs.</li> <li>President <strong>Vladimir Putin</strong> launched the exercise on the same day he began a two‑day visit to China.</li> <li>Earlier, Russia announced a successful test of the new <span class="key-term" data-definition="Sarmat ICBM — Russia’s latest heavy ICBM designed to replace older Soviet‑era missiles, enhancing strategic strike capability (GS2: Polity)">Sarmat ICBM</span>, slated to replace older Soviet missiles.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The Russian Defence Ministry says the manoeuvres are aimed at “preparation and use of nuclear forces under the threat of aggression”. The ministry also published a list of European factories allegedly supplying drones to Ukraine, warning of “unpredictable consequences”.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding Russia’s nuclear posture is vital for <strong>GS2 (International Relations)</strong> and <strong>GS3 (Defence)</strong>. The drill shows how nuclear deterrence is used as a political tool, especially during heightened tensi