Russian forces simulate nuclear strike as upper house rescinds ratification of test-ban treaty

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s military conducted drills on Wednesday, overseen by President Vladimir Putin, that simulated a nuclear strike in response to a nuclear attack and involved multiple practice launches of ballistic and cruise missiles. The Kremlin’s announcement of the exercise came hours after the upper house of the Russian parliament revoked the ratification of a global nuclear test ban in what Moscow has described as a move to establish parity with the United States. The bill to end ratification will now be sent to Putin for final approval. The lower house approved it last week. The state television showed…