Russia’s military conducted a simulated nuclear strike in a drill Wednesday overseen by President Vladimir Putin, hours after the upper house of parliament voted to rescind the country’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban.

The bill to end ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, approved in the lower house last week, will now be sent to Putin for final approval. Putin has said that revoking Russia’s 2000 ratification would “mirror” the stance of the U.S., which signed but did not ratify the nuclear test ban.

State television showed Putin directing the exercise via video call with top military officials.

Russia’s Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu said the purpose of the drills is to practice “dealing a massive nuclear strike with strategic offensive forces in response to a nuclear strike by the enemy.”

  • Dr. Moose@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    It’s impressive how russia has zero real opposition. It’s almost like a dictatorship or something.

    • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      No not really. Vladimir Putin is just the best leader for Russia and has no opposition. That’s why he got 120% of the vote next year.

      Occasionally people have put their names forward but it’s never turned into anything because they’ve always fallen out of the window in completely not suspicious circumstances. It’s old but that’s just how things are sometimes.