NATO begins largest military exercise since the Cold War

OSLO, (Patria) - Large NATO maneuvers are beginning in Oslo, involving 50,000 soldiers from 31 countries, with 10,000 vehicles, 250 aircraft, and 60 warships.

The exercise, named "Trident Juncture 2018," will be held on land, at sea, and in the air in central and eastern Norway, surrounding parts of the Atlantic and Baltic Seas, including Iceland, and in the airspace of Finland and Sweden.

The scenario involves NATO attempting to liberate an allied country that has been the target of an armed attack, and according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, it will also serve as a test of rapid response forces.

"Trident Juncture" sends a clear message – to our countries and to any potential adversary – NATO does not seek confrontation, but we are ready to defend our allies from any threat. This is a large exercise and a major logistical undertaking. This is an important day because "Trident Juncture" is the largest NATO exercise since the end of the Cold War," Stoltenberg said, as reported by Radio Free Europe.

He added that all member states of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe have been invited to the maneuvers, and welcomed the acceptance of the invitation by Russia and Belarus, with whom NATO had previously shared details of the exercise.

"NATO informed Russia about the exercise in the Joint Council earlier this year. Our member states respect the OSCE document on the transparency of military activities. Russia, on the other hand, has not informed us of any exercise since the end of the Cold War," said the NATO Secretary General.

Ahead of the start of the large NATO exercise, the defense ministers of Russia and Belarus met. Russian official Sergey Shoigu said after the meeting that NATO's military activity near their border has reached an "unprecedented level" since the Cold War era.

"The North Atlantic Alliance is actively exploiting the myth of a Russian threat. The level of their combat readiness near our borders is increasing, as is their intensity. Alliance member states are conducting offensive combat operations exercises. The geographical regions chosen for large exercises are getting closer and closer to Russia's border. NATO's surveillance activities in the Baltic and Black Sea regions have also been intensified," Shoigu said.

The large NATO exercise "Trident Juncture 2018" will last until November 7.