by Bill Gertz
Russian nuclear forces conducted a large-scale exercise last week that included test firings of several long-range missiles along with dual-capable shorter range ballistic and cruise missiles, according to U.S. officials.
The U.S. Strategic Command, meanwhile, is conducting a similar nuclear command and control exercise, but without firing any nuclear missiles.
The Russian exercise was closely monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies and was conducted in greater secrecy than past nuclear war games have been, according to officials and military analysts.
A U.S. defense official said the Russian war games involved firing an SS-N-18 submarine-launched ballistic missile, or SLBM, an SS-N-23 SLBM, a land-based mobile SS-25 intercontinental ballistic missile, and a new SSN-30A Kalibr long-range ship-fired missile.
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“In general, the results of the drills demonstrated high combat readiness of strategic nuclear forces and high-precision long-range weapons,” said Gen. Sergey Shoigu, Russia’s defense minister, on Tuesday, according to the state-run Itar-Tass news agency.
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