NATO Launching Nuclear Drills After Putin's Baltic Sea Nuke Warning
Summary
NATO will conduct its yearly nuclear drills in Europe next week, called Steadfast Noon. The exercises are routine and planned, but come shortly after Russian President Putin warned that Russia might use nuclear weapons to protect its Baltic Sea territory of Kaliningrad.Key Facts
- NATO’s annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, involves about 2,000 people and 70 aircraft from over a dozen countries.
- The drills train forces on deploying aircraft capable of launching nuclear bombs, including support for refueling and security.
- NATO says the exercise is routine, not connected to current events, and not aimed at any country.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened nuclear action if Kaliningrad, a Russian territory surrounded by NATO countries, is attacked.
- Kaliningrad hosts a major Russian naval base and missile launchers and is located between Poland and Lithuania, both NATO members.
- NATO accuses Russia of increasing sabotage, cyber attacks, and misinformation against the alliance, which Russia denies.
- The U.S., UK, and France are the only NATO members with nuclear weapons, but some other NATO countries host U.S. nuclear arms on their soil.
- Nuclear weapons stockpiles fell after the Cold War but are now growing again, with countries upgrading or expanding their arsenals.
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