NATO begins annual nuclear exercise despite Russian warning

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 17:19 · Archive

NATO is holding its annual Steadfast Noon nuclear exercise starting Tuesday, weeks after Russia warned it would use nuclear weapons if its territory faced threat.

NATO will hold its major annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, starting Tuesday and running for ten days. It will be hosted by Italy and could involve dozens of aircraft from 17 NATO countries, with the bulk of the exercise held near Italy, far from Russia.

The exercise comes weeks after Russia warned NATO allies against trying to cut off its Kaliningrad exclave and stated it would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons should its territory come under threat. The warning was sent to NATO headquarters and published on the websites of several Russian embassies in Europe. Kaliningrad is a Baltic exclave lying between NATO members Poland and Lithuania.

NATO's Head of Nuclear Policy, Nassima Barrows, stressed that Steadfast Noon poses no threat to Russia or any other country and said the alliance would not postpone the exercise. 'Our exercise Steadfast Noon is routine. We have been doing this every year and we have not postponed. There is no need to worry. This is predictable,' Barrows told reporters. NATO officials declined to detail the scenarios or military equipment to be tested, though in the past the exercise has involved bomber aircraft and fighter jets that can carry nuclear warheads, along with ground troops. No nuclear warheads or live munitions are used.

How it is being reported

• NATO presses ahead with 'Steadfast Noon' nuclear drill after Russia's nuclear warningNATO is starting its major annual nuclear exercise, "Steadfast Noon," on Tuesday.Clickorlando · 8 Oct, 16:46
• NATO presses ahead with 'Steadfast Noon' nuclear drill after Russia's nuclear warningNATO is starting its major annual nuclear exercise, "Steadfast Noon," on Tuesday.News4Jax · 8 Oct, 16:46

In this story: NATO · Russia · Italy · Nassima Barrows · Kaliningrad · Poland · Lithuania

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