NATO conducted training in the London Underground in case of war with Russia.

NATO militaries conducted large-scale exercises in London, using Charing Cross underground station as an underground bunker to simulate a war with Russia.

The Guardian and The Independent report this.

The exercise, dubbed Operation Arrcade Strike, simulated a 2030 scenario in which Russia attacks Estonia. According to the scenario, British troops deploy to contain the Russian army at the border.

During the maneuvers, the military practiced countering Russian drone attacks and retaliatory strike scenarios. The discussion centered on using artillery and fighter jets for strikes “as far as St. Petersburg.”

Lieutenant General Mike Elviss said the scenario was deliberately modeled for 2030 because that is when the military assesses the greatest likelihood of a potential attack from Russia.

One of the key goals of the exercises is to demonstrate that European NATO countries are capable of ensuring their own security even with reduced US participation in the Alliance. Furthermore, the military aims to convince the British government of the need to increase defense funding.

According to journalists, modernizing the British Army will require multibillion-dollar investments. Specifically, this means at least £50 million per year for developing the production of simple drones and approximately £500 million annually for more complex weapons systems.

The UK government reported that it currently spends approximately 2.5% of GDP on defense—approximately £79.8 billion. Meanwhile, media estimates suggest that in the event of a full-scale war, the country could exhaust its drone stockpile in less than a week. The British Army also faces a shortage of drones for reconnaissance and other missions.

At the same time, British and other NATO troops are taking part in other exercises, including Operation Spring Storm in Estonia, which was visited by British Defence Secretary John Gilli.

As a reminder, Russia may attack NATO countries in the near future . US President Donald Trump’s policies could contribute to this.