Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized Russia’s nuclear capabilities in an annual strategic deterrence exercise on October 29, reiterating longstanding nuclear rhetoric aimed at impacting Western decision-making.
Putin participated virtually in the exercise, which featured launches of ground-based Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched Sineva and Bulava ballistic missiles, and air-launched cruise missiles.
In his remarks, Putin claimed that Russia’s nuclear arsenal is essential for preserving Russian sovereignty, balancing global power, and addressing “growing geopolitical tensions” and new security threats.
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He also noted that Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces are receiving advanced missile systems with improved accuracy and faster launch times, though he did not provide details.
This exercise mirrors similar drills conducted in October 2022 and 2023, underscoring a trend in Russian military posturing. Analysts suggest that Putin’s nuclear messaging is intended to discourage the West from supporting Ukraine by creating self-imposed limitations through heightened nuclear tensions.
Meanwhile, polling from Russia’s independent Levada Center shows a slight decline in domestic trust in local government entities, with recent data indicating 43 percent of respondents trust local officials, down from 45 percent last year.
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However, 80 percent of respondents still trust Putin, up slightly from 76 percent in 2023. Analysts believe Putin’s reliance on regional “crypto-mobilization” efforts, which increase military recruitment at the local level without a national mobilization, may be helping him avoid direct public dissatisfaction.
These regional efforts have helped to redirect frustrations about the Ukraine war away from Putin and onto lower-level officials.
Putin is expected to continue this approach of localized recruitment until federal mobilization becomes necessary to meet military demands in Ukraine, enabling him to maintain public support while minimizing national opposition.
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