Moscow: In what is likely to be viewed as yet another attempt by Moscow to flaunt its nuclear might, Russia has started conducting exercises with its Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system and thousands of troops, according to the defence ministry on Wednesday.

Vladimir Putin wanted to make the Yars missile system, which took the place of the Topol system, a staple of Russia's ground-based nuclear arsenal and one of its "invincible weapons."

In a statement posted on the messaging app Telegram, the defence ministry stated that "over 3,000 military personnel and about 300 pieces of equipment are involved in the exercises overall."

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The drills include a command and staff exercise with the Novosibirsk missile formation outfitted with the Yars systems and a comprehensive control check of the Strategic Missile Forces' Omsk missile formation.

The ministry stated without naming the regions that the Yars mobile systems will conduct manoeuvres in three Russian regions during the exercises. Additionally, in coordination with formations and units of the Central Military District and the Aerospace Forces, strategic missilemen will carry out a series of actions to conceal and counter modern aerial reconnaissance methods.

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The Yars mobile intercontinental ballistic missile systems, which reportedly have an operational range of 12,000 km, lack many confirmed tactical and technical features (7,500 miles).

Military bloggers claim that the systems can deploy in silos or be mounted on truck carriers and are capable of carrying multiple independently targetable nuclear warheads.

Since beginning an invasion of Ukraine in February of last year, Russia has engaged in a number of military drills, either independently or in cooperation with other nations like China or South Africa.

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In the past year, Belarus, which borders both Russia and Ukraine, has conducted a number of extensive drills as part of its increased military training.

The decision to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons, according to Belarus, was made in response to Western sanctions and what it claimed was a military buildup by NATO members close to its borders.

Although the US claimed to have seen no signs that Russia was getting closer to using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, US President Joe Biden had stated he would be concerned by the decision.