NATO nuclear exercises. Alliance calls on Russia for a "calm response"

Exercise Steadfast Noon includes a wide range of activities, from simulated alerts to real training flights. The maneuvers will involve dual-use aircraft (DCA), adapted to carry nuclear weapons, as well as ground personnel responsible for loading, refueling and operating the machines.

As Col. David Bull, NATO's chief of nuclear operations, emphasizes, the exercises are comprehensive and include both air and ground operations.

Alliance: There is no reason to worry

NATO leadership strongly emphasizes the predictable and routine nature of the maneuvers.

We conduct these exercises every year and it is a clear signal to countries like Russia that there is no reason to worry. These are predictable maneuvers and there are no grounds for miscalculation, assures Nassima Barrows, NATO's director for nuclear policy.

High-ranking representatives of the Alliance emphasize that the aim of the exercises is not to escalate tensions, but on the contrary - to maintain peace and stability in the region. Our intention is truly to keep the peace. Russian officials are constantly increasing the atmosphere of tension, and we will consistently strive to calm it down, adds one of the NATO officials.

Tension between NATO and Russia

The Steadfast Noon exercises are taking place in an atmosphere of growing tensions between NATO and Russia. After the Alliance's August maneuvers near the Koenigsberg Oblast, Moscow sent a letter to NATO threatening to use its nuclear arsenal against the territory of member states. The wordings contained in the Russian letter were sharply criticized last week by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.