Russia begins a three-day exercise involving its nuclear forces, including drills that include practice launches of nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, according to multiple outlets. The drills also involve broader military participation, with reporting stating the exercise includes submarines and missile systems. One report says the exercise includes around 64,000 troops. The timing is framed by continuing heightened tensions with Ukraine, where reports describe an increase in drone attacks. Separately, one outlet links the drills to a period in which President Vladimir Putin is visiting China, describing the exercise as occurring as that diplomacy takes place. While the details are consistent across sources—practice of nuclear-capable missile operations and involvement of maritime and missile components—coverage differs on some figures and contextual specifics such as exact troop counts and the diplomatic backdrop. Overall, the reporting characterizes the drills as preparations intended to test readiness and procedures for nuclear forces amid an environment of active conflict and escalation concerns.