Large-scale NATO exercises begin in Estonia
The largest of NATO’s military exercises this year began on May 2nd in Estonia. According to the press service of the Estonian Defense Force Headquarters, 6,000 servicemen, including 1,500 from 10 countries that are strong allies and NATO partners, took part in a series of maneuvers code-named Kevadtorm 2016.
Soldiers from Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the USA, Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania are participating. Military exercises scheduled to last three weeks will be held near the border with Russia in the Tartu, Võro and Põlva counties. The official purpose of maneuvers is to assess the skills of infantry battalions of non-career servicemen before they can be incorporated into the military reserves.
Polish Su-22 assault aircraft, American F-15 fighters, British Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters can be seen in the skies over Estonia during the military exercises.
Recently, Die Welt published an interview of the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, in which he stated that NATO has to respond to Russia’s actions by using force and convincing deterrents. “Moscow illegally annexed Crimea, supports separatists in eastern Ukraine and violates international law. That is why we will strengthen our presence on the eastern borders of the Alliance,” Stoltenberg said.