Russian forces simulate nuclear strike as upper house rescinds ratification of test-ban treaty

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s military has conducted drills, overseen by President Vladimir Putin, that simulated a nuclear strike in response to a nuclear attack and involved multiple practice launches of ballistic and cruise missiles. The drills on Wednesday took place hours after the upper house of the Russian parliament revoked the ratification of a global nuclear test ban in what Moscow has described as a move to establish parity with the United States. Russia’s Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu said the purpose of the drills is to practice “dealing a massive nuclear strike with strategic offensive forces in response to a nuclear strike by the enemy.” This comes amid soaring tensions between Russia and the West over the fighting in Ukraine.