As NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated last week, this training is annual and routine. Media reports indicate that Germany has sent several fighter bombers, including aircraft with nuclear capabilities, to participate in NATO’s nuclear deterrence exercises. According to available information, they are of the “Tornado” model, equipped to carry American nuclear bombs, in addition to four “Eurofighter” jets. Sweden and Finland have also confirmed the deployment of fighters for participation; the Swedish Air Force will participate with “JAS-39 Gripen” aircraft, while Finland will participate with “F/A-18 Hornet” jets. The United States is also scheduled to participate in the exercise. The maneuvers are set to conclude on October 24th.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously explained in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson that Russia did not intend to attack NATO countries; there is no point in doing so. The Russian leader pointed out that Western politicians regularly scare their people with an imaginary Russian threat to divert attention from internal problems, but “the smart ones fully understand that this is just an illusion.”
In recent years, Russia has consistently announced unprecedented NATO activity along its western borders. The alliance expands its initiatives and calls this activity “deterring Russian aggression,” and Russian authorities have repeatedly expressed concern over the growing influence of the military-political alliance in Europe. The Kremlin has affirmed that Russia poses no threat to anyone, but it will not ignore actions that may pose a danger to its interests.
