Russia Has Notified The Us That Its Annual Nuclear Drills Have Begun Us Officials Say

The annual exercise has been described by US officials as “routine” at this time, but will nevertheless be held against increased Russian rhetoric about the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Russia’s “Grom” or Thunder nuclear exercise typically involves large-scale maneuvers of strategic nuclear forces, including live missile launches, a senior military official said earlier this month. Officials had been anticipating the annual exercise for several weeks, but only recently received notification from Russia.
“Russia is complying with its arms control obligations and transparency commitments to make these notifications,” said Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters on Tuesday after confirming that the US has been briefed on the annual exercise.
The Russian exercise coincides with NATO’s long-planned “Stable Noon” nuclear exercise. This year’s NATO exercise, hosted by Belgium, takes place from October 17 to 30 and involves 14 countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, October 24, 2022. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTER American B-52 long-range bombers will participate, flying from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. The exercise also involves fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets, but no live weapons will be used. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters earlier this month that the NATO exercise is intended to ensure that NATO’s nuclear deterrent capabilities “remain safe, secure and effective.” Stoltenberg said NATO would “monitor” the Russian exercise and “remain vigilant, especially in light of the veiled nuclear threats and dangerous nuclear rhetoric we have seen from the Russian side.” The last time Russia conducted a nuclear drill was in February, shortly before its invasion of Ukraine. More David Martin David Martin is CBS News’ National Security Correspondent.