How is the Soviet reaction to Able Archer 83 interpreted?

How does the Soviet reaction to Able Archer 83 affect the argument about surprise attacks?

The reply argues that part of the reaction was staged for political purposes.

A viewer cites the Soviet reaction to Able Archer 83 as a challenge to the argument about surprise attacks. The reply interprets part of that reaction as staged for political purposes. The claim concerns part of the reaction and remains an interpretation.