Russia's Vladimir Putin fires four ballistic missiles

Vladimir Putin has taken part in major military drills of Russian nuclear forces. President Vladimir Putin has taken part in major military drills of Russian nuclear forces and personally directed the test-firing of four intercontinental ballistic missiles as part of the exercises, the Kremlin says. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the drills on Thursday involved all elements of the military's nuclear triad - nuclear submarines, strategic bombers and a land-based launcher. He added that the exercises were routine and not directly linked to any international developments. Still, the president's direct involvement in overseeing intercontinental ballistic missile launches is an event that has been rarely reported by the Kremlin in the past. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, A DOG LOVER, RECEIVED A TOP BREED PUPPY AS A BELATED BIRTHDAY GIFT ON WEDNESDAY FROM TURKMENISTAN’S PRESIDENT WHO IS KEEN TO RECOVER LOST RUSSIAN MARKETS FOR TURKMEN GAS. "The commander in chief conducted the launch of four intercontinental ballistic missiles," Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. Peskov wouldn't elaborate on what specific part Putin played in the war games, saying that the president took "the necessary moves in line with the standard procedure for relevant situations as the commander in chief."