NATO Moves Ahead With Military Drills In Norway As Tensions Flare In Ukraine

NATO Moves Ahead With Military Drills in Norway – Deploys 30,000+ Troops, 50 Warships and 220 Aircraft Near Russia’s Border As Tensions Flare in Ukraine

Julian Conradson 

As tensions rise between the West and Russia over Ukraine, the catalyst of the conflict – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – kicked off a major military exercise just miles away from Russia’s border on Monday.

The military drill, dubbed ‘Cold Response,’ will test “NATO’s ability to respond decisively to any threat, from any direction,” according to a press release by the organization. More than 30,000 NATO troops, including UK Royal Marines and US forces, have been deployed to Norway, along with at least 50 warships and 220 military aircraft.

From NATO:

“Around 30,000 troops from 27 nations, including NATO’s close partners Finland and Sweden, are taking part in the exercise, as well as about 220 aircraft and more than 50 vessels.”

While deployed, the NATO troops will run through several training scenarios on the frigid northern coast of Norway, testing their mettle and teamwork on the land, at sea, and in the air, in preparation to defend Norway and Europe’s northern flank from a modern adversary like Russia.

If any member state is attacked, Article 5 of NATO’s charter requires other members to aid in the fight against the attacker.