US-NATO launch massive military exercise; Russia unhappy

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – On Tuesday the United States and its NATO allies launched a massive military exercise which Moscow has described as “anti-Russian,” Just the News reports. Named Defender-Europe 21, the exercise is being conducted in Europe following the recent build-up of Russian troops and military equipment along the border with Ukraine.

According to the Pentagon, the purpose of Defender-Europe 21 exercise is to prepare readiness for defense against attack, Just the News reports. “It’s defensive in nature, focused on deterring aggression while preparing our forces to respond to crisis and conduct large-scale combat operations if necessary,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

Although Russia has withdrawn some of its troops and equipment from the border with Ukraine, Kirby noted: “There’s still a lot of forces arrayed against, or aligned along the border with Ukraine and in occupied Crimea. And it’s still never been completely clear what the intentions were.”

However, in a conference with military leaders in April, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said the US and NATO conduct exercises “with a clear anti-Russian orientation,” Just the News reports. Shoygu also pointed out that Defender Europe 21 is the largest NATO military exercise in 30 years. The exercise involves 28,000 troops from 26 countries.

The US began sending troops and equipment to Europe in March, and moved prepositioned military stocks from Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands in April, Just the News said. The exercise will focus on defending the western Balkans and Black Sea regions and on defense operations in Ukraine and other parts of Europe.

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