Contents tagged with NATO

  • US A-10 aircraft to carry out training flights in Latvia

    US A-10C Warthog ground attack aircraft will carry out low altitude flights in Latvia, Delfi reported with reference to the National Armed Forces of Latvia.

    The Warthogs will carry out low altitude training flights for the reported purpose of maintaining and refining the pilots’ skills and combat readiness.

    The flights will take place from June 13th to 16th in seven districts in Latvia.

    The Armed Forces of Latvia announced that the flights will be carried out in accordance with international …

  • US destroyer sent to the Black Sea

    A US Naval destroyer will enter the Black Sea on Monday to conduct exercises with partner navies, according to a statement issued by the US 6th Fleet.

    “While in the Black Sea, the USS Porter will conduct port visits and bilateral exercises with partner navies. The ship's operations in the Black Sea are meant to enhance maritime security and stability, readiness, and naval capability with our allies and partners,” the statement read.

    “US vessels routinely operate in the Black Sea region to …

  • NATO exercises begin in the Baltic Sea

    The Naval exercise, BALTOPS 2016, led by NATO started on June 3rd in the southern part of the Baltic Sea near the coasts of Sweden, Denmark and Poland, Delfi.lt reports. BALTOPS (Baltic Operations) exercises have been carried out since 1971. In 2016, training will be held from June 3rd to the 18th. They began on Friday in the Estonian waters of the Baltic Sea.

    A total of 50 ships from 18 NATO nations and alliance partners will take part in the maneuvers, as well as 60 aircraft, helicopters and …

  • Russian warship spotted near Latvian maritime border

    The Armed Forces of Latvia recorded Russian warship near the borders of the country, the National Armed Forces of Latvia reported on Twitter. On Friday, a Russian frigate of the latest class of corvettes of the Russian Navy, the Stergushchy (Watchful) class, was detected 4.5 nautical miles from Latvian waters, the statement read.

    Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine and the deterioration of relations between Russia and the West, Russian warships and aircraft have been increasingly …

  • US Abrams tanks to arrive in Latvia for NATO exercises

    US Abrams tanks will arrive in Riga on Saturday to participate in the Saber Strike 2016 exercises, Evropeyskaya Pravda reported with reference to Delfi.

    Residents of Riga have been notified that a column of armored vehicles, including Abrams tanks, will be transported from the Port of Riga to the exercise cite in Ādaži.

    The Commander of the National Armed Forces of Latvia, Raimonds Graube, stressed that the exercises are not aimed at provoking Russia, as the NATO drills are on a much smaller …

  • Poland to participate in NATO airspace patrols over Bulgaria and Romania

    Polish fighters will take part in NATO's air patrol mission over Bulgaria and Romania, as stated by the Deputy Defense Minister of Poland, Tomasz Shatkovsky, Evropeyskaya Pravda reported.

    According to Shatkovsky, by participating in the Alliance’s airspace patrol over the Balkans, Warsaw wants to show that Poland is concerned not only about their own safety, but that of all NATO member states.

    As the Deputy Defense Minister explained, NATO’s mission over Romania and Bulgaria will take place …

  • Russia to deploy two brigades to its western border

    Russia will strengthen its western border due to the increased NATO activity in Eastern Europe, Interfax reported citing sources with knowledge of the situation.

    “As part of the formation of three new divisions on the western border of Russia, two separate motorized rifle brigades will be relocated from the central areas of the country,” the source said.

    The 28th Motorized Rifle Brigade will be transferred from Yekaterinburg to Klintsy, about 80 km from the Belarusian border. In addition, the …

  • Estonian PM: We expect NATO to establish a firm position in relation to Russia's actions

    The Estonian Prime Minister, Taavi Rõivas, said that one of the outcomes of the July NATO summit should be the strengthening of security in the region. He said this during a meeting with Poland’s Prime Minister, Beata Szydło, on Wednesday in Warsaw.

    According to him, Poland plays an important role in achieving this outcome.

    Rõivas also expressed hope that the Alliance members will demonstrate a firm stance with regard to Russia’s actions in the Baltic Sea region.

    “Russia constantly …

  • Final comprehensive package of aid to Ukraine could be approved during meeting of NATO defense ministers

    NATO officials have reacted positively to the Strategic Defense Bulletin adopted by Ukraine. This was reported by the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. Radio Liberty reported that she took part in the NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting held in Brussels on the 1st of June.

    “NATO have welcomed the Strategic Defense Bulletin and they are really hoping that all intentions and plans stated in the document will be implemented,” …

  • Stoltenberg: European NATO countries will increase defense spending for the first time in 10 years

    The defense expenditures of NATO’s European member countries have increased for the first time in nearly a decade. This was said by NATO’s Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, during an interview with the Financial Times.

    The newspaper notes that this increase shows that there is considerable concern over Russian aggression and the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean region.

    “The 2016 forecast indicates that this will be the first time in many years that there is an increase in defense …