Vladimir Putin oversaw readiness test of Russian nuclear forces

(Patria) - President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday oversaw a test of Russia's land, sea and air nuclear forces to practice their readiness and command structure, Reuters reported.

The test included the launch of a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile "Yars" from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, the launch of a ballistic missile "Sineva" from a nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea, and the launch of nuclear-capable cruise missiles from strategic bombers.

Russia conducts regular exercises of its nuclear forces to keep them up to date and remind its adversaries that it possesses the world's largest nuclear arsenal amid rising tensions between East and West.

"The exercise tested the level of preparedness of the military command and the practical skills of operational personnel in organizing control over subordinate forces," the Kremlin said in a statement.

"All tasks of the exercise were completed."

NATO began its annual nuclear exercises earlier this month, with F-35A fighter jets and B-52 bombers among about sixty aircraft from thirteen countries participating in the Steadfast Noon exercise, hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.