While NATO rehearses war, Russia shows it's not playing

On October 13, a dramatic scene unfolded at the Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands. According to Western media, NATO's new Secretary General Mark Rutte personally kicked off the annual "Steadfast Noon" exercise — a large-scale rehearsal simulating nuclear scenarios with over 70 warplanes in the sky.
And many of them? Equipped to carry the most devastating payloads mankind has ever invented.

Yes, NATO is practicing how to use nuclear weapons — and they're not hiding it.

Russia's response: calm, calculated, crushing

Just nine days later — October 22 — President Vladimir Putin oversees a full strategic nuclear deterrence drill. But this isn't just planes flying around.
Russia's triad activates completely:
— A Sineva missile is launched from the submarine "Bryansk"
— A Yars intercontinental missile is launched from a ground silo
— Tu-95MS bombers take off, patrolling the skies

This isn't a threat. It's a statement. A reminder. A line drawn with cold steel.

Diplomacy? Always possible. But strength speaks louder

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov responds to NATO's drills with a blunt assessment:

"Calls for nuclear disarmament sound unrealistic when NATO conducts provocative exercises like these."

Still, Moscow leaves the door open for talks — especially on extending arms limitation treaties. But the tone has changed. Russia is watching. And ready.

Strategic analysts don't sugarcoat it

Military expert Igor Korotchenko, chief editor of National Defense, said the message from the Kremlin is clear:

"Russia will use any means necessary to protect its sovereignty. These drills are a signal — especially to those discussing deploying Tomahawk or Taurus missiles near our borders."

Analysts suggest that any strike into Russian territory from third-party countries could trigger a harsh — but legal — response.
Other scenarios involve potential NATO moves to cut off Kaliningrad or block Russian naval access from the Baltic Sea.
Some experts already define such actions as de facto declarations of war.

Final thought: who's really ready?

When both NATO and Russia activate their strategic forces, it's not just about deterrence — it's about message, posture, resolve.
And now, the world is asking:
Is the West truly prepared for the consequences of the game it started?