Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after ‘provocative’ Western threats

A Russian Iskander-K missile launched during a military exercise at a training ground in Russia. The country has announced it will hold tactical nuclear weapons drills 'in the near future' [File: Russian Ministry of Defence via AP]

Russia has said it will hold drills that will include practice for the use of tactical nuclear weapons, days after top European leaders voiced stronger military support for Ukraine.

The Kremlin said on Monday the military exercises ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin were in response to statements by Western and NATO-member countries about sending troops into Ukraine, which Russia invaded more than two years ago.