MOSCOW — Russia has begun preparations to hold a military exercise to increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.

The drill will be held "in the near future" with missile formations of the Southern Military District and aviation and navy troops, the ministry said in a statement.

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During the exercise, activities will be carried out to practice the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, it said.

"The exercise is aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in order to unconditionally ensure Russia's territorial integrity and sovereignty in response to provocative statements and threats from Western officials," the statement read