NATO Initiates Nuclear Exercises in Western Europe
NATO has commenced its annual ‘Steadfast Noon’ nuclear exercises on Monday, involving 2,000 personnel from 13 different countries. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
NATO has commenced nuclear drills in Western Europe amidst rising tensions with Russia over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The annual “Steadfast Noon” exercise began on Monday and includes participation from thirteen members of the US-led military alliance.
During this training, NATO forces are practicing the deployment of American nuclear weapons, which are positioned under the bloc’s nuclear-sharing agreement.
This year's exercise involves 2,000 military personnel from eight airbases and features over 60 aircraft, such as nuclear-capable fighter jets, bombers, fighter escorts, flying tankers, and electronic warfare platforms. According to NATO, flight operations will primarily take place over Belgium and the Netherlands, which are hosting the drills, as well as in the airspace of Denmark, the UK, and over the North Sea. It has been emphasized that no live weapons will be utilized over the course of the two-week exercise.
“NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who took office on October 1, stated, ‘In an uncertain world, it is vital that we test our defense and that we strengthen our defense so that our adversaries know that NATO is ready and is able to respond to any threat,’” he informed reporters in London last week.
This summer, Russia, along with its military ally Belarus, conducted a joint nuclear exercise as well. Russian officials have framed these drills as a reaction to increasingly combative rhetoric from the West. The decision to deploy some of Russia's nuclear weapons to Belarus was first revealed last year and is seen as a direct counterpart to NATO’s deterrence strategies.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated plans to modify Moscow's nuclear doctrine. The suggested changes would permit Russian leadership to view an attack by a non-nuclear state, supported by a nuclear power, as a unified threat when contemplating a nuclear response.
The US and its allies have accused Moscow of practicing “nuclear blackmail” through its statements regarding its nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, Rutte has suggested that discussions about Russia’s nuclear arsenal should be avoided among NATO members.
Moscow perceives the conflict in Ukraine as a proxy war launched by the West against Russia, claiming that Ukrainian forces are being utilized as “cannon fodder.” Russian officials have cautioned that increased Western involvement could lead to direct confrontations.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
During this training, NATO forces are practicing the deployment of American nuclear weapons, which are positioned under the bloc’s nuclear-sharing agreement.
This year's exercise involves 2,000 military personnel from eight airbases and features over 60 aircraft, such as nuclear-capable fighter jets, bombers, fighter escorts, flying tankers, and electronic warfare platforms. According to NATO, flight operations will primarily take place over Belgium and the Netherlands, which are hosting the drills, as well as in the airspace of Denmark, the UK, and over the North Sea. It has been emphasized that no live weapons will be utilized over the course of the two-week exercise.
“NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who took office on October 1, stated, ‘In an uncertain world, it is vital that we test our defense and that we strengthen our defense so that our adversaries know that NATO is ready and is able to respond to any threat,’” he informed reporters in London last week.
This summer, Russia, along with its military ally Belarus, conducted a joint nuclear exercise as well. Russian officials have framed these drills as a reaction to increasingly combative rhetoric from the West. The decision to deploy some of Russia's nuclear weapons to Belarus was first revealed last year and is seen as a direct counterpart to NATO’s deterrence strategies.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated plans to modify Moscow's nuclear doctrine. The suggested changes would permit Russian leadership to view an attack by a non-nuclear state, supported by a nuclear power, as a unified threat when contemplating a nuclear response.
The US and its allies have accused Moscow of practicing “nuclear blackmail” through its statements regarding its nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, Rutte has suggested that discussions about Russia’s nuclear arsenal should be avoided among NATO members.
Moscow perceives the conflict in Ukraine as a proxy war launched by the West against Russia, claiming that Ukrainian forces are being utilized as “cannon fodder.” Russian officials have cautioned that increased Western involvement could lead to direct confrontations.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
