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Russian nuclear-powered submarines fired cruise missiles in the Arctic on Friday as part of military drills designed to test Russian military's readiness for a possible conflict in its icy northern waters, the defence ministry said, reports NDTV.
The drills, named Umka-2022, took place in the Chukchi Sea, an eastern stretch of the Arctic Ocean that separates Russia from the U.S. state of Alaska.
Moscow sees its vast Arctic territory as a vital strategic interest and has been building up its military capabilities in the region for years, raising alarm bells in the West.
Russia's defence ministry said on Friday that two nuclear-powered submarines - the Omsk and Novosibirsk - fired anti-ship cruise missiles from the Chukchi Sea, hitting targets at a distance of 400 kilometres (250 miles).
It published a video on social media which claimed the missiles being launched from vessels situated at points of the Northern Sea Route - a commercial transport channel Russia is promoting as an alternative option for cargo ships travelling between Europe and Asia.
Bd-pratidin English/Ishrar Tabassum/Tanvir Raihan
