Russia's defense ministry has announced the start of drills simulating the launch of tactical nuclear weapons. It released a statement on Tuesday saying its forces are responding to "provocative" threats from the West.
The ministry also released video of what it says is the first stage of the exercise. It said the drills are taking place in the Southern Military District, a border area that includes parts of Ukraine under Russian control.
The ministry said some troops are training to use a mobile, short-range missile system called the Iskander. It added that aviation units are practicing how to equip weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, with warheads.
President Vladimir Putin had ordered the drills to be conducted in three stages. He invited those he called his "Belarusian colleagues" to join in the second stage. Belarus has already deployed some Russian nuclear weapons on its territory.
The Russian Foreign Ministry had released a statement on May 6 saying the drills are a response to a statement made by French President Emmanuel Macron in which he suggested sending European troops to Ukraine. It also pointed to British Foreign Secretary David Cameron saying Ukrainian soldiers could use British weapons to strike Russian territory.
The ministry added that the exercises are meant to send a "sobering signal" to the West and its "puppets" in Kyiv.