Putin oversees the launch of an intercontinental missile amid a diplomatic standoff with Washington and the collapse of preparations for the summit with Donald Trump.
Russia has carried out a series of large-scale strategic exercises involving all components of its so-called “nuclear triad” — land, sea, and air forces.
During the maneuvers, an intercontinental ballistic missile Yars was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia toward the Kura test range, located on the Kamchatka Peninsula, a region close to Alaska and therefore near the U.S. border.
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President Vladimir Putin personally observed the launch, in a clear display of military power and deterrence capability.
The exercises took place amid escalating tensions with Washington and the collapse of preparations for the planned summit between Putin and Donald Trump, which was expected to symbolize a potential diplomatic thaw between the two leaders.
Western analysts interpreted the Kremlin’s actions as a direct provocation. “Putin is taunting Trump — it looks like Moscow is begging for Tomahawks,” commented an American political observer, referring to the U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles, often associated with rapid American military responses.
The maneuvers reinforce the perception that nuclear rivalry between Russia and the United States has returned to the center of international politics, with both powers publicly showcasing their strategic capabilities amid the deterioration of diplomatic dialogue.
Source and images: Telegram @mod_russia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
