Monday, October 17, 2022, Brussels, Belgium: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) began nuclear exercises away from Russian borders despite Putin's persistent nuclear threat.

The nuclear exercises will involve B52 long-range heavy nuclear bombers and 60 fighter jets. The air fleet can carry nuclear bombs, although live nuclear bombs will not be used.

Fourteen of 30 NATO members will participate in the exercises in Belgium, 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) from Russia, and farther away in the United Kingdom. 

The exercises dubbed Steadfast Noon will last for almost half a month, from October 17 to October 30.

This immense show of force will send a clear message to Putin that the use of nuclear bombs would lead to a global catastrophe.

"This exercise helps ensure that the alliance's nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective" -NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu.

NATO leaders refused to suspend the exercises following Putin's nuclear threat, arguing that the exercises were planned before Putin's invasion.

"The exercise, which runs until 30 October, is a routine, recurring training activity and it is not linked to any current world events," NATO said.

Russia might also hold its nuclear exercises, Grom, which take place around this time, although the current events in Ukraine could affect the annual event.

Additionally, experts around the world will be watching closely whether Russian nuclear exercises have anything to do with the latest nuclear threat from Moscow.

Russia still holds the largest nuclear weapons stockpile at  5,977 warheads, ahead of the United States' 5,428, and NATO's 4,178. However, the US has more weapons ready to fire at 1,644, compared to Russia's 1,588.

Russia's setbacks in Ukraine have cast doubts on Russia's military capabilities believed to be the second best in the world. 

Some experts have suggested that Russia's 60% of nuclear weapons could fail during a nuclear conflict with more intercepted.

NATO held its non-nuclear exercises "Hedgehog" in May 2022 in the Baltics which also raised concerns following Putin's invasion.

The exercises involved 15,000 troops from 10 NATO members, coinciding with  Finland and Sweden's application to join the Western military alliance.

Finland has a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia and joining NATO would raise eyebrows from Moscow, which justified its Ukraine invasion by blaming NATO expansion near its borders.

Such exercises usually attract negative attention, especially during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, but tensions quickly subside within a few days.

Although the timing of the nuclear exercises was coincidental, NATO will capitalize on the opportunity to showcase its capabilities and send a clear message to Russia's dictator Vladimir Putin.