Russia's latest non-strategic nuclear weapons drills are being watched closely by Ukraine and the West, coming at a time when Moscow is warning Kyiv's Western allies against any direct involvement in the war in Ukraine.
Russian soldiers patrol a street on April 11, 2022, in Volnovakha in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine.
Announcing the exercises earlier in May, Russia's Ministry of Defense directly linked the exercises to "provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation."
Earlier this week, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on allies to get more directly involved in the war, such as by helping to intercept Russian missiles.
The Kremlin accused Zelenskyy of "hysterics" and said Kyiv's request was due to "unfavorable conditions" for Ukraine on the battlefield.
Persons:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy
Organizations:
Russia's Ministry of Defense, Russian Federation, Kremlin
Locations:
Ukraine, Moscow, Volnovakha, Donetsk People's Republic, Russian