Photo: business insider
The North Atlantic Alliance has launched its annual Steadfast Noon 2025 exercises, aimed at testing the readiness of its nuclear deterrence forces.
Over the course of two weeks, more than 2,000 military personnel and 70 aircraft will take part, including German Tornado fighters capable of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs, according to dpa.
The main drills are being conducted over the North Sea and at bases in the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Denmark.
While the details of the exercise scenario remain classified, NATO officials stress that the exercises are routine and not linked to recent incidents involving Russian aircraft.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that such exercises are necessary to "maintain the readiness and effectiveness of the nuclear deterrence system."
Meanwhile, tensions remain along the Russia-Estonia border. Meelis Saarepuu, head of Estonia’s Southern Police and Border Guard Prefecture, reported on October 11 that a section of road between the towns of Värska and Saatse, nearly a kilometer long and partially crossing Russian territory, was closed for security reasons. Russia’s Federal Border Service described the closure as a "standard procedure."
Analysts note that Russia has recently intensified both covert and overt operations against Europe. According to experts, the country is entering a so-called “phase zero,” a period of information and psychological preparation that could precede potential future hostilities with NATO member states.
