The accusation comes at a time of rising tension between Washington and Moscow over Ukraine.
US officials express fears of a possible attack by Russia on its southern neighbor, and the Kremlin denies these fears, describing them as unfounded.
Moscow accuses the United States, NATO and Ukraine of committing provocative and irresponsible actions, citing US arms supplies to Ukraine and Kiev’s use of Turkish drones against Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, as well as NATO military exercises near its borders.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had noticed a significant increase in the activity of US strategic bombers, which he said had carried out 30 sorties near Russia this month.
He added that this number increased by two and a half times compared to the same period last year.
Shoigu was particularly upset by what he said was a simulation of a US nuclear strike against Russia earlier this month.
A statement from the Defense Ministry quoted Shoigu as saying: “The Defense Minister confirmed that, during the US military exercises “Global Thunder”, ten American strategic bombers trained to launch nuclear weapons against Russia from the western and eastern directions.”
“The closest range to our country’s borders was 20 kilometers,” the statement added.
The accusation comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the West treats Russia’s warnings not to cross its “red lines” lightly.
.