Russia notifies the United States of the start of scientific research of strategic nuclear forces
On Tuesday, Russia officially announced that it was conducting the Grom reliable nuclear force exercise, during which ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads presented by the Pentagon and the State Department were launched.
The exercises, which take place annually, are drawing particular attention this year as they come against the backdrop of Russian incursions in Ukraine. “By reporting the exercise, Russia is fulfilling its financial control responsibilities,” Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said. “These notices reduce the risk of misjudgment,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
Previous similar maneuvers ended mere days before Russian incursions into Ukraine. The date of the exercise was not announced in advance. As of the US office, they are expected by official Russian broadcasts to start the exercise within a few weeks. Back in early October, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that the NATO alliance would closely monitor the tests and “remain vigilant in the light of” veiled nuclear threats and dangerous nuclear rhetoric emanating from Russia.
In turn, last year, the annual NATO Steadfast Noon exercise is currently taking place, during which pilots from 14 NATO member countries conduct a training event using non-strategic weapons for two weeks.