Russia thinks about nuclear weapons while Putin is in China. G7: Russian assets remain frozen. Ukraine recaptures Stephonirsk
Moscow's Defence Ministry speaks of thousands of soldiers across the country for 'an exercise on the preparation and use of nuclear forces in case of threat of aggression'
Key points
The Russian Defence Ministry announced that Moscow's army will begin three days of nuclear weapons exercises today involving thousands of soldiers across the country. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin is on a visit to China. "From 19 to 21 May 2026, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will conduct an exercise on the preparation and use of nuclear forces in case of threat of aggression," the Kremlin said. According to the Tass news agency, over 64,000 military personnel will take part in the exercises.
On Saturday, one of the heaviest Ukrainian attacks
Meanwhile, Ukraine intensifies its attacks. On Saturday, Russia suffered one of the most severe offensives with drones by the Kiev army since the beginning of the conflict, in response to deadly Russian air raids on the Ukrainian capital.
Putin sends video message to Chinese people
Before his official visit to China, Putin addressed the Chinese people with a videomessage. "Dear Chinese friends, I greet you! I am delighted to visit Beijing once again at the invitation of my dear old friend, the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping," said the Russian head of state, who went on to emphasise the unprecedented level of relations between the two countries. According to the Russian leader, the friendship between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China is not directed "against anyone", but "for the sake of peace and universal prosperity".
G7: 'Russian assets remain frozen'
Meanwhile comes a statement from the G7 Finance Ministers: 'We reiterate that Russia's sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain frozen' until Moscow 'ends the war and pays reparations'.
Ukraine: key defence village of Zaporizhzhia recaptured
The Ukrainian army announced that it had retaken control of the village of Stepnohirsk, in the Zaporizhzhia region, following operations conducted in particular by the Artan special unit, affiliated with Ukrainian military intelligence (Hur).
