President Vladimir Putin watches first Russian nuclear drill since the Russia-Ukraine war.

 By Ruzeki  Shadow News 

President Vladimir Putin has overseen annual exercises by Russia's strategic nuclear forces at a time of heightened tensions with the West over the eight-month-long war in Ukraine. 

President Vladimir Putin watches the nuclear drills via video link

What you need to know about the Russian annual nuclear drill: 

• Ballistic and cruise missiles were launched in the Far East and Arctic, the Kremlin said. 
• The US was told about the drill under the terms of the New Start arms treaty. 
• The launches took place as Russia makes claims that Ukraine is plotting to use a "dirty bomb", which is an explosive device mixed with radioactive material. 
• Kyiv warned the "dirty bomb" claims indicate Moscow itself could be preparing such an attack. 
• The last Russian nuclear drill took place five days before the start of Ukraine war. 
• NATO is also staging its own nuclear exercises, dubbed Steadfast Noon, in north-western Europe. 
• Moscow has sent troops into the key southern city of Kherson to help defend it. Russia took Kherson in the early days of the war, but recently it has come under attack as Ukrainian troops advance. 
• Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was seen on Russian TV saying that the aim of the drill was for military command and control to practice carrying out "a massive nuclear strike by the strategic nuclear forces in retaliation for the enemy's nuclear strike".