Vladimir Putin saw military forces conduct nuclear exercises in Russia.
The Russian president oversaw the tests, which had been planned for some time, via video link from an office.
During the exercises, the country’s nuclear forces conducted several training launches of ballistic and cruise missiles.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Mr Putin oversaw the formation, which he said was required to practice carrying out a “huge nuclear strike in response to an enemy nuclear strike”.
It comes amid growing fears that Moscow could trigger a major escalation in the war in Ukraine as tensions continue to grow.
The maneuvers followed Mr Putin’s warning that he would use “all available means” to repel attacks on Russian territory, in a clear reference to the country’s nuclear arsenals.
The exercises saw the test-firing of a Yars land-based intercontinental ballistic missile, the launching of a Sineva ICBM by a Russian nuclear submarine and the Tu-95 strategic bombers firing cruise missiles at targets from coaching.
Military exercises involving land, sea and air components of the Russian nuclear triad have been held every year to train the country’s nuclear forces and demonstrate their readiness.
The United States said it had been informed that Russia planned to hold the routine exercise and that the country had complied with the terms of the latest arms control agreement.
