PRESS RELEASE

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Russian Military Begins Nuclear Emergency Drill, Announces Defense Ministry

July 20, 2015 (EIRNS)—As the U.S. heightened the military threat to Russia by announcing its plan "to store battle tanks, infantry vehicles and other heavy weapons for as many 5,000 American troops in several Baltic states and Eastern European countries," according to a New York Times report of June 13, Moscow has begun to take measures to stay prepared to meet any emergency situation orchestrated by Washington. On June 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the Army-2015 arms fair in Kubinka, west of Moscow, had said

"more than 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles able to overcome even the most technically advanced anti-missile defense systems will be added to the make-up of the nuclear arsenal this year."

According to TASS today, Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, its civilian nuclear power corporation Rosatom, units of the Central Military District, and law-enforcement agencies will hold drills to eliminate the consequences of emergency situations with nuclear materials. It cited the Defense Ministry saying:

"During the period of July 20, 2015-22, 2015, the 12th Main Department of the Russian Defense Ministry will hold drills jointly with the Strategic Missile Forces and Rosatom on the territory of the Central Military District to ensure special provision for formations and military units located on the district’s territory....The drills aim to check the readiness of military command bodies, forces and means involved in the elimination of the consequences of emergency situations with nuclear materials."