NATO to hold major nuclear exercise amid escalating rhetoric with Russia

NATO is seeking to reassure Russia that its upcoming nuclear exercise in Italy is nothing to fear, despite heightened tensions between the alliance and Moscow.

Source: European Pravda, citing Brussels-based politics and policy news organisation Politico

Details: NATO announced on 8 October that 17 member states would take part in its annual Steadfast Noon exercise, which will run from 13 to 23 October. This year's drills come amid a tense exchange of letters between Moscow and NATO after the allies held an exercise near Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast in August.

"We have been doing this every year and… this is also a clear message to nations like Russia that there is no need to worry. This is predictable and there is no reason to miscalculate," said Nassima Barrows, Deputy Director of Nuclear Policy at NATO.

"Its purpose is really essentially to train our allied forces so that we are ready and prepared, and we ensure the safety and security of our nuclear capability," she said.

Following a previous NATO exercise, Moscow sent the alliance a letter threatening to strike allied territory and referring to the possible use of its nuclear arsenal. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte publicly condemned the move last week.

Tensions are mounting as European countries are accusing Russia of carrying out sabotage and intensifying so-called hybrid attacks across the continent.

"Our intention is to really keep things calm," a senior NATO official said. Russian officials "keep ratcheting up this mood of tension and we are going to keep trying to calm the mood", they added.

US Army Colonel David Bull, Chief of NATO's Nuclear Operations, said the exercise would involve a "similar" number of participants as in previous years. It would cover everything from "simulated alert to [a] live flight exercise", but "no live nuclear weapons".

Dual-capable aircraft and ground personnel will also take part to support the exercise and practise aircraft loading, refuelling and maintenance procedures, a senior NATO military official added.

Background:

• It was previously revealed that Russia had handed NATO a document stating the possibility of using its entire available arsenal, including nuclear weapons, in the event of an attempt by the Alliance to isolate Kaliningrad Oblast.
• NATO responded by emphasising the defensive nature of the Alliance and calling on Russia to stop its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasised that Russian leader Vladimir Putin knows he will never be able to defeat NATO.
• Lithuania described the new Russian threats regarding Kaliningrad as psychological pressure.

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