The Kremlin has reported that Russia conducted a military exercise to demonstrate its capability for launching a "massive" nuclear strike in response to an enemy's nuclear attack. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu provided details of the rehearsal to President Vladimir Putin, as shown on state TV.

In a related development, Russia's parliament endorsed the withdrawal of Moscow's ratification of a global treaty that prohibits physical testing of nuclear warheads.

Both Russia and the United States regularly engage in nuclear readiness simulations, and Russia typically conducts its exercises towards the end of October.

This year's exercises specifically focused on executing a significant nuclear strike using strategic offensive forces as a countermeasure to an adversary's nuclear attack, as reported by Mr. Shoigu to President Putin.

The Kremlin's official statement mentioned that the exercise included "practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles."

During the exercise, an intercontinental ballistic missile, known as a Yars, was launched from a test site located in Russia's far-eastern region. Additionally, another missile was fired from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Barents Sea. The defense ministry also released footage of these tests.

Earlier in the month, President Putin had announced the "final successful test" of a nuclear-powered cruise missile, which was initially introduced in 2018 and was praised for its potentially limitless range. However, it's worth noting that this account from President Putin has not been independently verified.

The latest tests will be seen as a display of force that coincides with Moscow de-ratifying an international nuclear test ban treaty.

Parliament completed the passage of a law that withdraws Russia's ratification of the treaty on Wednesday.

Mr Putin called upon ministers to back the change to reflect the position of the United States, which signed but never ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The CTBT, agreed in 1996, bans "any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion" anywhere in the world.

Russia waged a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year, raising concerns over nuclear war.

In June, Russia stationed the first batch of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Mr Putin told a forum they would only be used if Russia's territory or state was threatened.

The US government says there is no indication the Kremlin plans to use nuclear weapons to attack Ukraine.

They had better not use it.