NATO conducts big military exercises in Baltic region

Brussels: NATO began one of the biggest-ever military exercises in the Baltics, BBC reported on Monday. The exercise called “Hedgehog”, involves 10 countries, including Finland and Sweden, which have announced them decisions to formally apply to join the alliance within days. The exercises being held in Estonia, will last until 3 June, and have been arranged before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has said that Russia has no issues with Finland or Sweden joining NATO, but a military expansion so close to its border would demand a reaction from them. NATO has said the aim of the exercises is to “enhance the readiness and interoperability” of its forces. Some 15,000 troops are involved in the exercise in Estonia, making it one of the largest military drills held in the country since 1991 and is taking place 64km (40 miles) from Russia’s nearest military base with the intention to simulate an attack from Russia on Estonia. However, reports said that the exercises were planned well before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. (UNI)