Russia's military says it has begun tactical nuclear weapons drills near Ukraine.

The exercises are taking place in Russia's Southern Military District which, according to the Kremlin, includes parts of Ukraine under occupation.

Moscow says the drills are in response to threats from some Western officials. It's the first time Russia has publicly announced drills that involve tactical nuclear weapons while its strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises.

For more on this, we talk to Katarzyna Zysk. She is professor of International Relations and Contemporary History at the Norwegian Institute for Defense Studies.

And we talk to Mark Cancian. He's a retired Colonel in the US Marine Corps, and a senior Adviser with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

00:00 Intro
00:33 Interview with Katarzyna Zysk
04:49 Interview with Mark Cancian

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