NATO begins nuclear deterrence drills in Europe on Monday. They are called Steadfast Noon.

60 aircraft from 14 countries will take part in the drills with bombers, fighters and reconnaissance aircraft.

Aviation flights will be carried out over northwestern Europe and the North Sea.

In particular, B-52 strategic bombers are involved in the U.S. drills.

Training flights will be conducted over Belgium, Great Britain and the North Sea. They will last until October 30, 2022. At the same time, the planes will not use weapons.

The Alliance emphasized that the drills are regular and not related to any events in the world. Their goal is to test the effectiveness of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent.

“These exercises will help ensure that the alliance’s nuclear deterrent capabilities are protected, effective and remain secure,” NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said.

While Steadfast Noon is a traditional regular exercise, this year it will take place amid tensions with Russia. The tension heightened after President Vladimir Putin threats of possible nuclear weapons use in response to the success of recent Ukrainian counteroffensives.

At the end of October, Russia plans to conduct its own Grom nuclear exercises.

They will include large-scale maneuvers of strategic nuclear forces, as well as missile launches from various carriers.

On October 13, Josep Borrell, Head of Diplomacy of the European Union, said that the West would give a powerful military response to any use of nuclear weapons by Russia against Ukraine.

According to Borrell, the response will not be nuclear, but one that will destroy the Russian army.