NATO on Monday began its annual nuclear drills in northwest Europe as they had long been planned, even as tensions escalate over the conflict in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin's threat to take whatever means necessary to defend Russian territory

The drills, which the military alliance said will involve 60 aircraft, including fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, and refueling planes, will be joined by 14 of NATO's 30 member countries, according to a report by the AP.

(Photo : NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Italian soldiers stand in formation as they take part in the official ceremony marking Italy's becoming a framework nation for the NATO battle group on the territory of Bulgaria at Novo Selo military ground on October 17, 2022.

War Simulations

The majority of the war simulations will take place at least 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) away from Russia's borders. Additionally, American long-range B-52 bombers will participate in the exercises, known as Steadfast Noon, which will last through October 30.  

The United Kingdom, the North Sea, and Belgium-where this year's Steadfast Noon will take place-will all be the subject of training flights, according to NATO. However, there are no actual bombs used in the exercises, only fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons. 

Putin has frequently made hints that he would defend the Russian forces with nuclear weapons.  According to the AP, the threat is also meant to stop NATO nations from giving Ukraine more sophisticated weapons. 

In response to these warnings, the US declared that countries with nuclear weapons, such as Russia, would face "catastrophic effects" 

NATO as an organization does not hold any weapons. The US, France, and the UK are still firmly in charge of the alliance's nuclear arsenal. 

The drills were already planned long before Putin decided to send Russian troops into Ukraine in February. NATO anticipates that Russia would exercise its nuclear capabilities this month since it typically conducts its own annual operations around the same time.

Read Also: Russia Deploys Kamikaze Drones on Zaporizhzhia, Sparking Nuclear Explosion Fears 

No Space Left for Negotiations

On Tuesday, airstrikes hit vital energy facilities and repeatedly blasted a Ukrainian city, which effectively cut off water and electrical supply.

Nearly one-third of Ukraine's power plants, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, were damaged in the previous week, causing widespread blackouts. 

Zhytomyr, which is 140 kilometers (85 miles) west of the capital Kyiv and has military stations, industries, and around 250,000 residents, was the most recent city to have power and water outages, as per AP. 

Hospitals in Zhytomyr had to operate on backup power after a twin missile strike targeted an energy facility, according to the city and regional officials. Other settlements in the area also experienced power outages. 

According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, missile strikes in Kyiv destroyed two power plants. Six people were hurt in the attacks, and one person died, he claimed. 

An industrial district of the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine was also attacked with rockets. The regional governor claimed that eight missiles were launched from Russia's side of the nearby border. 

Related Article: IAEF Chief Announces Mission to Ukraine After A 'Suicidal Nuclear Plant Explosion' Alarm Was Raised at Europe's Largest Nuclear Facility   

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla