In Latvia, the international military exercises of NATO Winter Shield 2021 started at the Adazhsky Polygon on November 22. The European Command of the United States takes part in the event. Reports about it TASS.
In the framework of the teachings, the motorized infantry of Latvia, the Armed Forces of Lithuania, the combat group of the expanded presence of NATO in Latvia and the fighters of the local militia are involved. NATO soldiers work out combat shooting, test artillery, military equipment and aviation.
Site of exercises – Adazhsky polygon – located near the capital Riga, less than 300 kilometers from the borders of Russia. NATO’s servicemen took it for 12 days, until December 4, 2021. The exercises are held every day from 9:00 to 23:00.
On November 21, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharov called the joint teachings of Estonia and the United States by the creation of the “NATO Bladdar” at the borders of Russia. According to Zakharova, NATO artificially creates tensions near Russia.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the consolidation of the North Atlantic Alliance forces closer to the Russian territory. Putin accused the alliance in the actual break of diplomatic relations with Russia.