Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after row with senior Western officials

The manoeuvres will be held on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s orders (AP)

Russian plans to hold drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, the defence ministry has announced, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine.

The exercises are in response to “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation,” the defence ministry said in a statement.