of living crisis bites? hello and welcome to bbc news. a russian air base hundreds of kilometres from ukraine has come under attack for the second time in less than a month. the russian defence ministry says the engels base in the southern saratov region was targetted by ukrainian drones during the night. russia says it shot down the drones, but that three of its servicemen were killed by falling debris. the base is host to long range russian strategic bombers, the type of which have launched numerous missiles strikes on ukraine. from moscow, our russia editor, steve rosenberg, reports. caught on cctv. an explosion at a russian airbase. russia says it shot down a ukrainian drone but that three russian soldiers were killed. engels airbase is deep inside russian territory, hundreds of miles from the ukrainian border. the base hosts long range bombers which are believed to have launched missile attacks against ukraine. state tv reacted to the news with a familiar warning to kyiv
Russia has announced plans to conduct drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, citing provocative statements from Western officials about the Ukraine conflict. This marks the first time Russia has publicly announced such drills, which are intended to increase readiness. The announcement comes amid heightened tension between Russia and NATO, with some Western leaders suggesting potential military involvement in Ukraine. In a separate incident, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck vehicles in Russia s Belgorod region, killing six and injuring 35, including two children. The region has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks in recent months.
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine. The drills are in response to “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement. It was the first time that Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, though its strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises.
The purpose of the exercises is to "maintain the readiness of personnel and equipment" to "unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state," the Russian Defense Ministry said.