20,000 NATO soldiers near Russia's borders: Alliance launched great training in the Northern Region

More than 20,000 servicemen from 14 countries will take part in these exercises that will last for almost two weeks. Finland, which has a common border with Russia with a length of 1340 kilometers (830 miles), entered NATO in April 2023, taking a historic step after decades of military neutrality. Neighboring Sweden, currently completing the process of joining the military alliance as its 32nd member after ratification of the proposal by all NATO members.

According to the publication, Sweden and Finland developed strong NATO relations after the Cold War, but public opinion in these countries remained strongly opposed to full membership before Russia's invasion of Russia. The main part of Nordic Respense's exercises will be held in the northern part of the Northern Region from March 3 to March 14, 2024. In Norway, the main activity will take place in the Bjorkwik and Inner Tromis area, as well as in the northeast to Alta and Central Finnmark.

In addition, significant activity will be observed in marine areas off the shores of Troms and Finnarck. According to the Armed Forces of Norway, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United States are involved in exercises that will take part on March 15. "More than 20,000 soldiers from 13 sowes take part in the exercises.

About 10,000 will be on land and will be most noticeable during exercises," the department said. According to the Finnish military, more than 4,000 Finnish soldiers are involved in Nordic Respense 2024 exercises, which is becoming a large -scale participation of a new NATO member in foreign military maneuvers. The Swedish Armed Forces reported that about 4,500 Air Force, Army and Navy military personnel will take part in exercises that occur in the difficult conditions of the Arctic winter.

More than 100 fighter jets, transport aircraft, marine intelligence aircraft, as well as allied CH43 Super Stallion, Merlin, Cobra and Osprey helicopters will be involved in the air. On Earth, thousands of soldiers will protect and protect the territory of Northern Europe with the help of various artillery systems, tanks, tracked vehicles and other land vehicles. According to the Norwegian military, joint training will be aimed at defense and protection of the Northern region.

"We need to be able to repel and stop anyone who tries to challenge our borders, values ​​and democracy," Brigade General Tron Strand from the Royal Air Force, Norwegian Air Force, Commander of the Norwegian Air Operations Center, said in his statement. "Given the current security situation in Europe, these exercises are extremely relevant and important as ever," he added.

Recall that on February 26, analysts of the American Institute of War Study (ISW) noted that the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed two decrees that officially restore Moscow and Leningrad military districts, which corresponds to Moscow's preparing for military aggression against NATO.