Europe | Nukespotting

How to detect an imminent Russian nuclear attack

As NATO holds nuclear exercises, Western spooks watch Russia’s warheads for any sign of movement

FILE - This photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, shows a Russian Iskander-K missile launched during a military exercise at a training ground in Russia. The Russian military on Friday announced massive drills of its strategic nuclear forces. After Russian unleashed missile attacks across Ukraine this week, military observers were left wondering about how many and what types of missiles Russia still has. That is, how long will the Kremlin be able to keep hitting Ukrainian cities? (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File)

Oct 17th 2022

ON OCTOBER 17TH NATO began a fortnight of nuclear exercises in Belgium called Steadfast Noon. Later this month, NATO expects Russia to hold its own nuclear drills, called Grom, for the second time this year. Steadfast Noon, involving 60 aircraft from 14 allies—including B-52 bombers flown from America—is “a routine, recurring training activity” unconnected to the war in Ukraine, NATO maintains. Yet the context is very far from routine; this week, NATO will be practising nuclear attacks during a major European war that some analysts fear could lead to nuclear escalation.