NATO is preparing for war with Russia – Stepanov

Finnish Lapland, taking part in NATO’s Lightning Strike 24 artillery exercises, is preparing for war with Russia, says military expert, program director of the Academy of Political Sciences, and senior research fellow at the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Stepanov.

As reported by the media, this is the largest NATO artillery exercise ever held in Rovajarvi Finland.

Rovajarvi, Finland military exercise area [PHOTO: WIKI]They will take place from November 4 to 28 in Finnish Lapland at the largest training ground in Northern Europe – Rovajarvi, 100 km from the Russian border. The Lightning Strike 24 exercises are part of Operation Dynamic Front 25, conducted under the auspices of the United States. Stepanov further added, “We are observing the systematic preparation of the enemy’s military potential in our border area, and the planned deployment of military infrastructure with the comprehensive testing of all components, including offensive systems”, according to Russian RGRU.

The exercises will involve about 3,600 servicemen from Finland, the United States, Sweden, Estonia, Britain, and France. The expert specified that their goal is to demonstrate defense capability in the operational area in the north in cooperation with Finland’s allies and partners, as well as to practice operational command and control.

The US plays a significant role in these maneuvers. The Pentagon is increasing the controllability of its European satellites,

– Alexander Stepanov

Also forming a single, well-coordinated strike contour, including through the integration of new long-range artillery systems and MLRS. Finland is already an operator of the M-270 MLRS, and HIMARS systems are next in line to be delivered, according to Russian TSARGRAD.

According to Reuters, Retired Major General Karl Engelbrektson said “It’s of no question at all. We have prepared plans on what to do if we are to be part of the defense of Finland”.

In addition to the artillery practicing direct tasks, it is important to test logistics and the delivery of strike systems to Finland by NATO, where some of them will likely be deployed permanently.

Lightning Strike 24 is part of a U.S.-led exercise called Dynamic Front 25, which is taking place across five countries. Dynamic Front 25 will involve approximately 5,000 troops from 28 countries in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Romania, and Poland.