
NATO has amassed 30,000 troops and 50 warships near Russia's border for military exercises, risking Russian President Vladimir Putin's rage. The drill, called Cold Response, started Monday, March 14, in Norway amid increasing tensions between Russia and the West over the invasion of Ukraine.
The exercise involves 30,000 troops from more than 25 countries from Europe and North America aside from 200 aircraft and 50 vessels. The biggest North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) exercise, which is held just a few miles from the Russian border, was scheduled long before Moscow's invasion of Ukraine but its importance has now been heightened. "This exercise is extremely important for the security of Norway and its allies. We will practice an allied reinforcement of Norway. It is not being held because of the Russian authorities' attack on Ukraine, but given the backdrop, there is a heightened significance," said Norwegian Defense Minister Odd Roger Enoksen. The purpose of the drill is to test how Norway and Alliance members would join forces on land, in the air and at sea in line with Article 5 of NATO's charter, which requires member states to come to the aid of another member state under attack. "I find it totally normal, perhaps now more than ever, to train together to demonstrate our capacity and our willingness to defend our values and our way of life," said General Yngve Odlo, chief of Norway's Joint Headquarters and in charge of Cold Response. The Norwegian armed forces said it gave thorough information to the Russians, including the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, saying that was critical for preventing misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict Russia has refused to watch the exercise, which is held every two years and is due to wrap up on April 1.US weapons package for Ukraine includes 100 KILLER DRONES
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