Russian military plane flies over the US Sixth Fleet in Norway during NATO Exercises

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Trident Juncture, great maneuvers Born at the gates of Russia

from GIAMPAOLO CADALANU

This was reported by the Russian website Rt, who released the photo of the aircraft flying over the ship. The Tupolev appeared in the sky when the marines aboard the USS Mount Whitney, the flagship of the US Sixth Fleet, gathered on deck for a group photo. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that two anti-submarine aircraft Tu-142 flew regularly in the neutral waters of the Norwegian Sea. The aircraft then returned to base in the north-central Russian region of Vologda.

The leak, which triggered the US warning, is taking place as NATO's largest military exercises unfold since the end of the cold war. A solidarity demonstration between allies in front of neighboring Russia, who denounced what he calls "anti-virus" drills. About 50,000 soldiers, 10,000 vehicles, 65 ships and 250 aircraft from 31 countries are involved in the maneuvers, called "Trident Juncture 18" and will last until November 7.

The objective is to train the Atlantic Alliance to help one of its members in case of aggression. "The security situation in Europe has deteriorated considerably in recent years," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, adding that "Trident Juncture sends a clear message to our countries. and to all potential opponents: NATO will not seek confrontation but will be ready to defend all allies against any threat. "

If Stoltenberg does not officially designate a "potential adversary", Russia is in everyone's mind because it displays its military power and shares a 198-kilometer border with Norway. And the east of Ukraine is destabilized by pro-Russian separatist activities which, according to Kiev and the West, are supported by Moscow, despite denials from the Kremlin.

Italian soldiers also took part in the operations. "We are here with the pride of the Italians," General Angelo Michele Ristuccia, commander of the Armored Brigade "132 / a" Ariete, told ANSA. "We want to show that we are able to carry out our tasks and to achieve what the Alliance is asking of us, with the enthusiasm of those facing an enemy with probably superior capabilities. "

In these war games, "the defense system has been severely tested by US Navy and Canadian Forces operations and, in the evening, we hope to go on the offensive and contribute to the restoration of the territorial integrity of Norway, "says the senior officer at the advanced tactical command post of the Lesja region, dominated by snow-capped peaks and covered with snow and ice. "I would like to emphasize – concludes Ristuccia – that this exercise is not directed against a specific enemy, but only for the purpose of demonstrating our ability to take sides on very short notice and especially to demonstrate that the Alliance is a defensive organization charged with proving to anyone who intends to threaten us that we are ready to defend the borders of the nations that are part of it ".