The level of concern reached its peak after the Soviets shot down KAL 007 near Moneron Island on 1 September 1983, and during the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation exercise Able Archer 83.
Ketegangan mencapai puncaknya setelah Soviet menembak jatuh KAL 007 dekat Pulau Moneron pada tanggal 1 September 1983, dan penyelenggaraan latihan Able Archer 83 oleh Pakta Pertahanan Atlantik Utara.