According To Breitbart: U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers will lead fighter jets from Belgium, Germany, and 12 other countries across Europe’s skies on annual nuclear exercises Monday, amid reports Russia has increased the number of strategic bombers close to its border with NATO-member state Norway.
The annual NATO training is going ahead despite rising fears President Vladimir Putin might consider a real nuclear strike in Ukraine.
Up to 60 aircraft are taking part in training flights alongside the American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bombers over Belgium, the North Sea and Britain to practise the use of U.S. nuclear bombs based in Europe, Reuters reports.
The jets will be escorted by other warplanes along with refuelling aircraft and spy planes.
“Steadfast Noon” is likely to coincide with Moscow’s own annual nuclear drills, dubbed “Grom”, which are normally conducted in late October and in which Russia tests its nuclear-capable bombers, submarines and missiles.
NATO said the Western drills were not prompted by the latest tensions with Russia but simply a continuation of training schedules.
“The exercise, which runs until 30 October, is a routine, recurring training activity and it is not linked to any current world events,” the alliance declared on its webpage, adding no live weapons would be used.
“This exercise helps ensure that the alliance’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective,” said NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu.
The training will run from Monday until 30 October as Norwegian publication Faktisk reported recent satellite imagery showed 11 Tupolev aircraft at the Russian airbase Olenya on the Kola peninsula, about 60 miles south of the city of Murmansk, Newsweek reports.
”READ FULL ARTICLE: https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2022/10/16/u-s-b-52-stratofortress-bombers-to-lead-nato-nuclear-drills-over-europe/
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