NATO on Monday started its long-planned annual nuclear exercises in northwestern Europe amid tensions simmer over the war in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin’s threat to use any means to defend Russian territory, reports AP news.
Fourteen of NATO’s 30 member countries were due to take part in the exercises, which the military alliance said would contain about 60 aircraft along with fighter jets and surveillance and refueling planes.
The majority of the war exercises will be held at least 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) from Russia’s borders.
U.S. long-range B-52 bombers will also take part in the drills, dubbed Steadfast Noon, which will run until Oct. 30. NATO is not permitting any media access.
NATO said that training flights will take place over Belgium, which is hosting Steadfast Noon this year, as well as over the North Sea and the United Kingdom. The maneuvers involve fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, but do not involve any live bombs.
The exercises were planned before Putin ordered Russian troops into Ukraine in February. Russia typically holds its own annual maneuvers around the same time, and NATO is expecting Moscow to exercise its nuclear forces sometime this month.
Bd-pratidin English/Ishrar Tabassum
