Russia

Russia Holds Large-Scale Nuclear Drills Near NATO Borders

Is this a dangerous provocation or a justified showcase for Russian capabilities?

Published 1 day ago

Russia Holds Large-Scale Nuclear Drills Near NATO Borders

Story

Above: Russia's anti-submarine destroyer at the Peter the Great Gulf of the Sea of Japan outside of Vladivostok on Sept. 5, 2022. Image credit: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Anti-Russia narrative

Russia and Belarus running nuclear drills right on NATO's doorstep is a direct provocation. With the New START treaty gone and Russia deploying hypersonic Oreshnik missiles to Belarus, the nuclear threat to Europe is more real than ever. Zelenskyy's warning that Moscow is planning new offensives from Belarusian territory — either into Ukraine or against a NATO country — deserves to be taken seriously.

Politico

Mario Nawfal on X

Pro-Russia narrative

These exercises are a massive show of force designed to signal that Russia is fully militarily prepared. The drills are taking place across the Leningrad and Central military districts and involve the Northern and Pacific fleets, with the stated aim of preparing nuclear forces to respond to a simulated "threat of aggression." The Kremlin has robust military capabilities to assert its role on the world stage.

The Moscow Times Sputnik News