NATO’s readiness to confront Russia in the Arctic

according to the report of the international group Tasnim News Agency, NATO has held a four-month exercise called “Sturdy Defender”, which is the largest exercise The military of this coalition is led by the US since the Cold War.

As ​​part of this exercise, a simulated attack on NATO territory in the North Atlantic was carried out.

Swedish war boats, Italian paratroopers and French marines appeared in different parts of this exercise.

The message of this military exercise was clear; After two years of the Ukraine war, NATO is ready to defend itself in the face of Russia.

Last week, this military alliance became its 32nd member. A year after Finland joined it, it became bigger than before.

Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson after monitoring his country’s tanks while participating in this exercise on the border of Finland- Norway told AFP: “We show that we are ready to defend our territories, and this is very important because we strengthen our capabilities together.”

While the number of Moscow forces after Heavy casualties in Ukraine are down, Russia has turned its economy into war mode. Meanwhile, Kiev’s Western allies have tried to increase production of major weapons, but support for Ukraine has wavered. Near the border is just one-fifth of the number of Moscow’s forces before the start of war in 2022.

An important area of ​​competition with Russia is the North Atlantic region, where the exercises are held.

While melting ice due to global warming creates critical shipping lanes, Russia has increased its capabilities in this area.

Now, with Sweden and Finland joining NATO, 7 of the 8 countries are in the alliance, and allies say they are increasingly competing with Moscow in this important area.

Antti Hakanen, Minister of Defense of Finland, announced: The Arctic is becoming a strategic region, and that is why Russia invests a lot here, and China also has an eye on this region.

The testing of NATO forces and hardware in the grueling conditions of the Arctic and in exercises with the Nordic members is to exchange experiences.

The Resolute Defender exercise, which includes warships sent by the United States, comes after Trump fundamentally questioned the existence of NATO.

The former US president, who is Joe Biden’s rival in the 2024 presidential election, warned last month that he would encourage Russia to attack NATO members and would not fulfill financial commitments to the alliance.

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