DISINFO: With 'Defender Europe 2021' NATO is practicing war against Russia
SUMMARY
With the military exercise 'Defender Europe 2021' NATO is practising war against Russia.
In the US military manoeuvre "Defender 21", 28,000 soldiers from 26 countries are simultaneously practising war against Russia in more than 30 training areas. These military exercises are completely out of place, and in the middle of a pandemic, they are particularly bizarre.
The Russian side also sees this as a military provocation. The United States continues to transfer forces and equipment to Europe for the Defender Europe exercises. They are directed against the Russian Federation. The infrastructure is being built.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that NATO threatens or encircles Russia and that the Western military exercises are directed against Russia.
NATO does not aim to escalate relations with Russia and is not practising war against Russia. Neither Defender Europe 2021 nor other NATO military exercises are directed against Russia. NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect the member states. NATO strongly supports efforts to build confidence and transparency in military activities and exercises.
Defender-Europe is an annual large-scale U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build strategic and operational readiness and interoperability between the US, NATO allies and partners.
Concerning the situation with coronavirus, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, U.S. Army Europe and Africa commanding general said: “While we are closely monitoring the COVID situation, we have proven we have the capability to train safely despite the pandemic".
Read more similar disinformation cases alleging that NATO's politicians use Defender Europe 2020 as an opportunity to escalate tensions with Russia, that military exercises, like Defender 2020, are directed against Russia and that Defender 2020 is a test to invade Kaliningrad region.