Putin moves his bombers to Europe’s doorstep days before huge Nato exercise

Vladimir Putin has parked nuclear bombers on Europe’s doorstep days before a huge Nato exercise in which Britain will play a pivotal role.

In a classic piece of Kremlin sabre-rattling, Moscow moved a fleet of 11 nuclear-capable jets more than 1,500 miles to the Arctic Circle.

Deployed to the Olenya airbase, close to Finland and Norway, the planes are capable of launching long- and short-range weapons.

The seven TU-160 ‘Blackjack’ strategic bombers and four TU-95 ‘Bear’ hydrogen bomb carriers were picked up on new satellite images. As recently as mid-August, according to similar images, no such bombers sat at the base in the Kola Peninsula.

Putin yesterday warned of ‘global catastrophe’ if Nato troops clash directly with Russia, despite having now heightened that risk himself. The coming weeks will see a number of Russian nuclear drills, predicted to include the test-firing of ballistic missiles, at the same time as Nato tests its preparedness to respond to such attacks.

The relocation of the Russian aircraft from a base close to the Ukraine battlefields was spotted by Israeli intelligence officials.

Putin yesterday warned of ‘global catastrophe’ if Nato troops clash directly with Russia, despite having now heightened that risk himself

They are now fewer than 100 miles from Finland, which is in the process of joining Nato, and 115 miles from Norway, an existing member of the alliance.

The Royal Air Force is completing last-minute preparations for Exercise Steadfast Noon, which will see up to 60 Nato aircraft taking part in training flights over Belgium, the North Sea and Britain to practise the use of US nuclear bombs based in Europe.

Beginning on Monday, the drills will simulate tactical strikes and see RAF Typhoons playing the role of Russian MiG fighter jets, while RAF F-35 Lightnings escort US nuclear bombers.

Nuclear-capable US B-52 ‘Stratofortress’ aircraft will cross the Atlantic to take part, joining US F-15 Eagle jets based at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk.

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg (pictured) made it clear that Exercise Steadfast Noon, which will see up to 60 Nato aircraft taking part in training flights over Belgium, the North Sea and Britain, will go ahead next week despite the tense international situation

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Moscow has moved a fleet of 11 nuclear-capable jets more than 1,500 miles to the Arctic Circle. The seven TU-160 ‘Blackjack’ strategic bombers and four TU-95 ‘Bear’ hydrogen bomb carriers were picked up on new satellite images. Pictured: a TU-160 ‘Blackjack’ strategic bomber

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg made clear this week that the alliance would proceed with its annual operation despite the tense international situation.

Cancelling the drills because of the war in Ukraine would send a ‘very wrong signal’, he said, arguing that Nato’s military strength was the best way to prevent any further escalation of tensions.

Putin yesterday warned Nato not to intervene in Ukraine, adding: ‘I hope those who make decisions will decide not to.’

Western officials said Russia was ‘rapidly exhausting’ its supply of missiles and because of sanctions was unable to import the parts required to manufacture replacements. One added: ‘For these reasons Russia cannot sustain the aerial campaign indefinitely.’