In this photo taken from video and released on June 26, 2023 by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks to officers as he inspects a command post of one of the formations of the Zapad (West) group of Russian troops at an undisclosed location of Ukraine. (PHOTO / RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE VIA AP)

MOSCOW - Russia will maintain the combat readiness of its strategic nuclear forces at the highest level, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.

"One of the key (priorities for the Russian armed forces) is to maintain the combat readiness of the nuclear triad at the highest level, which in turn ensures global strategic balance," Shoigu said during a conference call with senior defense officials.

The Russian army will continue to achieve all the goals set for the country's special military operation in Ukraine, Shoigu said

The Russian army will continue to achieve all the goals set for the country's special military operation in Ukraine, Shoigu said.

"We will continue to equip the army and navy with the most modern weaponry, including weapons that use artificial intelligence technologies and those based on new physical principles," he said.

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The defense ministry will ramp up the production of all kinds of drones, enhance reconnaissance capabilities, the efficiency of target designation and counter-battery warfare, as well as develop air defense and satellite constellation, he added.