NATO to Hold Nuclear Exercises 600 Miles from Russia

NATO will conduct its strategic nuclear exercises 600 miles from Russia and does not plan to use real munitions, said John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, according to РИА Новости.

"About 14 NATO countries will participate in these exercises, which will take place 600 miles from Russia," Kirby stated. He noted that the exercises were "planned well before" the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine. "These exercises are not related to any real-world events or actions by Russia," he added. Kirby mentioned that fighter jets will be involved in the exercises, but "they will not carry combat munitions."

Earlier on Tuesday, it was announced that NATO would hold the long-planned Steadfast Noon deterrence exercises next week. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that these are "normal annual exercises aimed at ensuring a safe and effective deterrence." In response to a question about whether NATO countries have discussed the possibility of canceling such exercises in the current international tense situation, the Secretary General assured that, on the contrary, these exercises prevent escalation, and canceling them would send a bad signal.