dpa
Kiev
Russia’s Defence Ministry announced on Monday that it would conduct an exercise of tactical nuclear forces on the orders of President Vladimir Putin.
The announcement did not say if the missiles would be equipped with nuclear warheads. Russia has previously carried out nuclear forces training without nuclear warheads.
A European Commission spokesman criticized the Russian nuclear exercises as “definitely sabre-rattling” and a “continuation of Russia’s irresponsible behaviour” on Monday.
At a press conference in Brussels, a spokesman for European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said the move is “yet another proof that the Kremlin is only interested in further escalating the situation which was caused by its illegal aggression against Ukraine.”
It was initially unclear when and where exactly the Russian nuclear exercise, in which the southern defence district and naval forces are involved, would begin.
“As part of the exercise, a series of activities will be carried out to practise the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” the Defence Ministry said in Moscow.
In October, the Russian military fired two intercontinental missiles and several cruise missiles for training and deterrence purposes.
It justified the exercise by alleging “provocative statements and threats by individual Western officials against the Russian Federation.” Russian representatives have repeatedly tried to test international support for Kiev by stirring up fears of a nuclear war.
Also on Monday, Ukraine called on the international community to stop recognizing Russian President Vladimir Putin as the country’s legitimate head of state.
“Ukraine sees no legal basis for recognizing him as the democratically elected and legitimate president of the Russian Federation,” a statement from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
