Russia’s Nuclear Rehearsal: A Chilling Message to the West

On October 22, Moscow carried out one of its largest nuclear drills in recent years — a massive exercise designed to demonstrate both Russia’s nuclear readiness and its willingness to defend national objectives at any cost.
The exercise included test launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and nuclear-capable bombers — all under the direct supervision of President Vladimir Putin.

The timing was far from coincidental.
As tensions between Russia and the Western bloc reach their highest levels since the Cold War, a long-planned meeting between Moscow and Washington — originally set to take place in Budapest — was suddenly postponed. The agenda had included potential ceasefire negotiations over Ukraine.
Although Donald Trump had earlier expressed his desire to meet Putin, he later declared that he “would not attend a useless meeting.”
Moscow, however, quickly responded that preparations for the presidential summit were still “ongoing.”

In the midst of this diplomatic uncertainty, the Kremlin moved ahead with its scheduled nuclear drill — a move many analysts now see as a calculated act of signaling rather than mere training.
General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the Russian General Staff, stated that the exercise aimed to “simulate and practice the authorization process for the use of strategic nuclear weapons” and to test the “operational coordination of Russia’s military command structures.”

The Anatomy of the Drill

During the exercise — part of Russia’s “nuclear triad” — a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from a base in northwestern Russia, traveling across nearly the entire country to strike a target in Kamchatka.
Simultaneously, a Sineva missile was launched from a submarine in the Barents Sea, while air-launched cruise missiles were fired from Tu-95 strategic bombers.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that all targets were successfully hit, emphasizing the exercise’s success in all three domains: land, sea, and air.
The synchronized precision of these operations showcased Russia’s integrated nuclear capabilities — a clear statement that its command-and-control infrastructure remains intact and fully functional, despite Western sanctions and ongoing geopolitical pressure.

A Message Written in Deterrence

To Western observers, this drill sends a loud and unmistakable message:
Russia’s nuclear deterrence remains credible, operational, and ready for use if necessary.
Moscow is determined to remind the West that any military threat or escalation toward its borders will be met not with hesitation but with full-spectrum response capabilities — including the nuclear option.

While Western nations are likely to interpret the drill as another step in a growing arms race, the Kremlin sees it as a strategic necessity: a show of resilience, technological capability, and sovereign defiance in the face of economic isolation.

Beyond Military Posturing

Politically, the timing of this exercise is equally symbolic.
It arrives just as diplomatic efforts falter and as Washington struggles to maintain cohesion among its allies over the protracted war in Ukraine.
For Putin, this nuclear exercise serves as a visible reaffirmation of power — a reminder to global audiences that Russia’s deterrence doctrine is not theoretical but actionable.

In essence, the October 22 drill was more than a test of hardware; it was a performance of intent — a clear, calculated message to the West:
“Russia does not bluff.”

Translated by Ashraf Hemmati from the original Persian article written by Navid Daneshvar



https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/8141133
https://kayhan.ir/fa/news/320813/برگزاری-رزمایش-هسته‌ای-روسیه-همزمان-با-تعلیق-نشست-پوتین-ترامپ
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-trump-1f22a02
https://www.euronews.com/2025/10/23/putin-supervises-nuclear-forces-drills-as-sanctions-mount-on-russia-over-its-war-against-u
https://www.gazeta.ru/army/2025/10/22/21901178.shtml?updated
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/10/22/putin-oversees-nuclear-forces-drills-kremlin-a90899
https://www.reuters.com/world/vladimir-putin-oversees-readiness-test-russias-nuclear-forces-2025-10-22