Russia has notified the U.S. its annual nuclear exercise has begun, U.S. officials say - CBS News

Ukraine rejects Russia's "dirty bomb" assertion

Ukraine disputes Russia's allegation of "dirty bomb" threat 06:58

Russia has notified the U.S. that its yearly atomic workout has begun and that it volition see launches of atomic susceptible missiles starting Wednesday, according to 2 U.S. officials. 

The yearly workout has been described by U.S. officials arsenic "routine" astir this clip of twelvemonth but nevertheless volition instrumentality spot against heightened Russian rhetoric astir utilizing atomic weapons successful Ukraine. 

The Russian "Grom," oregon Thunder atomic exercise, typically involves large-scale maneuvers of strategical atomic forces, including unrecorded rocket launches, a elder subject authoritative said earlier this month. Officials person expected the yearly workout for respective weeks but lone precocious received notification from Russia.  

"Russia is complying with its arms power obligations and its transparency commitments to marque those notifications," Pentagon property caput Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters Tuesday, aft confirming the U.S. has been notified of the yearly exercise.  

The Russian workout coincides with the long-planned NATO atomic workout "Steadfast Noon." This year's NATO exercise, hosted by Belgium, takes spot from Oct. 17 to Oct. 30 and involves 14 countries.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko astatine the Kremlin successful Moscow, Russia October 24, 2022.  Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTER

U.S. B-52 long-range bombers volition participate, flying from Minot Air Base successful North Dakota. The workout besides includes 4th and 5th procreation combatant jets, but nary unrecorded weapons volition beryllium used.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters earlier this period that the NATO workout is meant to guarantee NATO's atomic deterrence capabilities "remain safe, unafraid and effective."

Stoltenberg said NATO volition "monitor" the Russian workout and "will stay vigilant not slightest successful airy of the veiled atomic threats and the unsafe atomic rhetoric we person seen from the Russian side." 

The past clip Russia held a atomic workout was successful February, conscionable up of its penetration of Ukraine.