Russia conducts unannounced 'nuclear exercises' to distract attention from problems at front — ISW

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated this in a report, according to Ukrinform.

"Russia is using unannounced strategic nuclear exercises to posture strength against Ukraine's allies and distract from mounting battlefield weaknesses," analysts believe.

ISW noted that Russia did not announce the nuclear drills taking place from May 19 to 21. Since 2022, Russia has typically held air, land, and naval nuclear exercises in October.

"Russian forces are likely conducting the surprise May 19 to 21 nuclear exercises and amplifying longstanding narratives aimed at influencing NATO decision-making and masking Russia's own weaknesses," analysts said.

They also noted that Russian troops have failed to achieve significant gains during the spring-summer offensive and have been unable to protect rear areas from increasingly destructive Ukrainian strikes.

As Ukrinform previously reported, joint Belarusian-Russian exercises involving military units responsible for the combat use and support of nuclear weapons began in Belarus on May 18.

From May 19 to 21, the Russian Armed Forces are conducting exercises on the preparation and deployment of nuclear forces "under conditions of a threat of aggression."