DISINFO: US military exercises in the Black Sea are a provocation and an attempt to contain Russia
SUMMARY
The US military exercises in the Black Sea are a provocation. These exercises are a blatant attempt to test Russia’s military reaction and raise tensions in the region. It is a part of the policy of containing Russia, causing very aggressive attitudes and destabilising the situation as a whole.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-kremlin disinformation narrative about military exercises and encircled Russia.
This disinformation message appeared in the context of a repeated increase of Russia's military buildup near Ukraine, much to the concern of Kyiv and its Western partners.
Every country has the right to conduct exercises, but it is important that they are conducted transparently and in line with international obligations. NATO exercises are open to observation in line with the OSCE procedures.
NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states. NATO's exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia – or any other country. Exercises are designed to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate together and ready to respond to any threat from any direction. In this context, US troops participate in these exercises. The alliance does not attempt to contain Russia.
Read more disinformation cases about the West’s alleged animosity towards Russia.