India, May 20 -- Russia has launched one of the largest nuclear readiness exercises in recent years, mobilizing tens of thousands of troops, strategic missile systems, submarines and long-range bombers in a sweeping military operation that coincides with Putin's visit to China for talks with President Xi Jinping. The timing of the drills is being closely watched across NATO capitals, where officials increasingly view the growing Moscow-Beijing strategic partnership as a direct challenge to Western military and political dominance.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the three-day exercise involves approximately 64,000 military personnel, more than 7,800 military vehicles and special equipment units, over 200 missile launchers, 1...