The exercise will test how U.S. forces can support European partners in nations bordering Russia and on the alliance's eastern flank.
In preparation for a possible battle with a “near enemy,” the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is conducting its largest exercise since the end of the Cold War. Al Jazeera reported on Thursday.
The exercise will test how U.S. forces can support European partners in nations bordering Russia and on the alliance's eastern flank.
This news comes after the leak of a classified document last week that said Russia could expand its war against Ukraine by attacking NATO allied countries next year. Fox News reported.
According to the leak, which bases its claims on data from the German Ministry of Defense, European military forces are preparing for a Russian attack in Eastern Europe, which could involve a cyberattack.
In the NATO exercises, according to the alliance's commander in chief, Chris Cavoli, more than 90,000 soldiers are scheduled to participate in the Steadfast Defender 2024 maneuvers, which will take place until May.
The exercises, according to Cavoli, would practice how NATO would carry out its regional plans, the first defense plans the alliance has created in decades outlining how it would react to a Russian attack.
NATO did not specifically mention Russia in its statement. However, its most important strategic document points to Russia as the most direct danger to the security of NATO countries.
“Steadfast Defender 2024 will demonstrate NATO's ability to rapidly deploy forces from North America and other parts of the alliance to strengthen the defense of Europe,” NATO said.
Poland, Norway and Romania, countries bordering Russia, will be important locations for the drill.
