Russia Says Its Non-strategic Nuclear Drills Involve Iskander Missiles

Russia's non-strategic nuclear exercises involving the Leningrad military district and the navy make use of Iskander missiles, its defense ministry said Wednesday.

Russia said Tuesday it started a second stage of drills to practice deployment of tactical nuclear weapons alongside Belarusian troops, after what Moscow called threats from Western powers.

"The personnel of the missile formation of the Leningrad Military District are practicing combat training tasks," the ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

These included obtaining special training ammunition for the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system, equipping launch vehicles with them and covertly advancing to the designated position area for preparations for missile launches, it added.

"The crews of navy ships involved in the training will equip sea-based cruise missiles with special mock warheads and enter designated patrol areas," the ministry said.