Putin to oversee nuclear drills during standoff over Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues via a video link in Moscow, Russia February 17, 2022. Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin will oversee exercises by Russia's nuclear forces on Saturday involving the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles, the defence ministry said, in its latest show of strength at a time of acute tension with the West over Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the exercises were part of a regular training process and denied they signalled an escalation of the standoff. He said Putin's role was essential, and the president was likely to take part from a "situation centre".