NATO maneuvers coincide with escalating tensions between the West and Russia (French)

Interfax news agency quoted Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev as saying on Thursday that the latest NATO military exercises appear to be training for an armed confrontation with Russia.

Patrushev, a major ally of President Vladimir Putin, said that the exercises, which are scheduled to continue until March 14, destabilize and raise tensions.

It is noteworthy that about 20,000 soldiers from 13 NATO member countries today, Thursday, began major maneuvers in the far north of Norway to defend against a hypothetical attack on NATO territory.

About 1,500 men and women from the German Armed Forces are also participating in the maneuvers, with combat training called “Nordic Response 2024” in the town of Alta, northern Norway.

In this scenario, soldiers prepare to launch a counterattack from the Alta region to seize areas to the south “already occupied by Russia.”

NATO countries deploy a wide range of weapons systems for training, including 100 aircraft and a naval force equipped with frigates and submarines.

Yesterday, Wednesday, NATO conducted an exercise called “Dragon 24” in the Polish city of Korzenio, within the framework of the “Standing Defender” maneuvers.

Provocation and all-out war

Speaking to the Russian News Agency, Alexander Grushko, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, considered that the scope of NATO maneuvers in 2024 constitutes a “final and irreversible return” by the alliance to its Cold War plans, as the war planning process, resources and infrastructure are prepared for a confrontation with his country.

He described NATO's maneuvers near the Russian border as "provocative," stressing that Russia is monitoring the maneuvers in the event of any type of "military incident."

For his part, the head of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Army, Vladimir Zarodnytsky, warned of the conflict in Ukraine turning into an "all-out war in Europe."

Zarodnitsky said the possibility of Russian forces getting involved in a new conflict was increasing "significantly."

Under the title “Military Thought,” Zarodnitsky - who holds the rank of Lieutenant General - wrote an article published by the Russian Ministry of Defense in which he stated, “The possibility of the conflict in Ukraine developing through an increase in proxy combat forces in the military confrontation with Russia cannot be ruled out, and the matter may reach the outbreak of an all-out war.” in Europe".

The military leader considered that the main source of military threats to his country is "the anti-Russian policy pursued by the United States and its allies, who are waging a new type of hybrid war with the aim of weakening Russia in all possible ways, restricting its sovereignty and destroying its territorial integrity."

Source: Agencies