The Independent: Russians training in Serbia, NATO in Montenegro

Russia will hold military exercises in the Balkans, coinciding with activities conducted by NATO forces in Montenegro, writes The Independent, reports Patria.

According to the British portal, the exercise in Serbia will involve 150 Russian paratroopers, 50 members of air force units, three transport aircraft, and "an unspecified number of military personnel from Serbia and Belarus," amid heightened tensions between Moscow and the Alliance.

-The thirteen-day military exercise in Serbia, named "Slavic Brotherhood 2016," will begin on Wednesday, while on the other side, NATO forces have been training in Montenegro since Monday, in a five-day program simulating response to flooded areas and chemical weapon attacks. 680 unarmed soldiers from seven NATO countries and ten partner countries will participate," writes The Independent.

It is assessed that the parallel exercises come at a time when relations between the West and Russia are at a very low level due to the situation in war-torn Syria.

The Independent also mentions the scenario of "World War III," which almost half of Russians reportedly believe will happen due to Moscow's intervention in Syria, and American generals have allegedly said that a war with Russians would be extremely deadly and fast, and would produce violence not seen in 60 years.

"Both Serbia and Montenegro, which were one country before their separation in 2006, are traditional Russian Orthodox allies. However, since the separation, Montenegro has turned towards pro-Western policies, while Serbia is struggling to break free from Moscow's grip," writes The Independent.

It is also added that Montenegro has been invited to become a member of NATO, despite Russia's opposition.

"Serbia is under strong pressure from the Kremlin not to join the Western military alliance and the European Union," the text concludes. In the field exercise in Montenegro, the sixteenth of its kind organized by EADRCC, teams from neighboring and surrounding countries participate: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Slovenia, as well as the USA, Austria, Finland, Israel, Belgium, Spain, France, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.

(B92)