As Putin visits China, Russia launches massive nuclear drills amid reports of Ukrainian gains

Russia on Tuesday launched a three-day nuclear weapons exercise involving thousands of troops across the country, as Ukraine intensified attacks.

The drills come just days before Chinese President
Xi Jinping is set to host Putin in Beijing, amid deepening military and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

The exercises also follow reports that Russia has suffered “small but sustained territorial losses” in Ukraine for the first time since October 2023, according to an analysis by The Economist based on satellite imagery tracking war-related fires.

Russia ramps up nuclear signalling

Since launching its military offensive in Ukraine more than four years ago, Moscow has repeatedly showcased its nuclear capabilities and warned of the potential use of nuclear weapons.

The latest drills come months after the collapse of the New START Treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms agreement between Russia and the US, and amid repeated remarks by Putin stressing the strength of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.

“From May 19 to 21, 2026, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are conducting an exercise on the preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of a threat of aggression,” Russia’s defence ministry said.

According to the ministry, the exercises involve more than 65,000 military personnel and around 7,800 pieces of military equipment, including over 200 missile launchers. Aircraft, warships, submarines and nuclear submarines are also taking part in the drills.

Russia said the exercise would include test launches of ballistic and cruise missiles.

New missile systems, Belarus role

While Moscow has maintained that it remains committed to a “responsible” approach towards strategic nuclear capabilities, Putin has described the development of Russia’s nuclear forces as an “absolute priority”.

Earlier this month, Russia tested a new long-range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The defence ministry added that the drills would also include joint training involving tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus.

Russia has already deployed the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, a close ally bordering NATO member states.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently accused Moscow of preparing a fresh offensive from Belarus and ordered Ukrainian forces to strengthen the country’s northern border.

Putin heads to China amid war pressure

The announcement of the exercises came just hours before Putin’s scheduled two-day visit to China.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin would arrive in China on Tuesday evening and hold talks with Xi on Wednesday morning.

According to Ushakov, the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral ties across several sectors, including energy cooperation and the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.

The visit also comes at a time when Russia is facing mounting battlefield pressure in Ukraine. The Economist’s war tracker suggested that while fighting remains intense, the momentum of the conflict no longer appears to be in Moscow’s favour.