'Anakonda', the largest joint military exercise in Eastern Europe since the Cold War, began today in Poland.
The exercise, during which the response responsiveness of the Atlantic Alliance (and friends) to a hybrid threat will be tested, will last 10 days. 31.000 soldiers from 24 countries, 3.000 vehicles of various kinds, 105 aircraft and 12 warships take part.
Among the forces deployed there will also be Italians, as well as 800 British soldiers, 14.000 American soldiers, and 12.000 Polish soldiers (including paramilitary units part of the project to combat the Russian hybrid war).
Several analysts believe this exercise can be seen as a 'provocation' by the Kremlin, however Anakonda takes place regularly every 2 years since 2006.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has intimated that Russia will take all necessary measures to counter 'excessive' NATO movements along its borders: "We do not hide our negative attitude towards NATO military movements near our borders. We invoke the right of Russia to guarantee its security with all appropriate measures. We are sure that our neighbors will understand".
The Polish Ministry of Defense had previously stated that the exercises would be "of a defensive nature" and would precisely test the reactivity of the armed forces and commands in the face of common and external threats.
The main part of the exercise, which will be attended by British and American airborne divisions (including the 82nd Airborne), will take place near the city of Torun, in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian region.
(photo: US Army / video: Polish Armed Forces)
