Russia holds annual nationwide nuclear scenario drills

Civil defence exercises have been held across Russia to reportedly test the country's readiness for a possible nuclear attack.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) said the exercises, held annually, have remained largely the same despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In an intelligence update, the MOD said Russia has not significantly changed its preparedness for an attack of such a scale.

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"In recent days, Russia has been conducting civil defence exercises across much of the country, based on a scenario of large-scale international armed conflict," the MOD said.

The update continued: "These exercises have taken place annually since 2012 and coincide with Russian Civil Defence Day on 4 October.

"This year's exercises are unlikely to have been dramatically changed or expanded.

"For generations, the USSR and then Russia has paid attention to domestic preparations for a major conflict. However, even with the ongoing war in Ukraine, it is unlikely Russia has significantly changed its posture of national preparedness in recent months."

It has been more than 18 months since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, with Kyiv forces making gradual gains in its counter-offensive to recapture ground lost to Russia earlier in the conflict.

The drills come as Russia has come under increasing threat in recent months - a number of drone strikes have hit Moscow, although Ukraine has not commented on these attacks.

However, Ukraine has claimed responsibility for devastating attacks on Russian Black Sea Fleet targets in Crimea which Moscow annexed in 2014.

Hundreds of former Wagner mercenaries are being redeployed to fight in Ukraine to support Russian troops, according to the MOD.

The Russian Armed Forces have also committed members of their new 25th Combined Arms Army (25 CAA) onto the battlefield, according to British intelligence which said Russian forces are "overstretched".

Ukraine is four months into its counter-offensive, however, concerns have been raised about how the winter will affect their efforts.