Since 2014 NATO has paid special attention to its Eastern flank. The Alliance demonstrates its interest with the intensifying military activity in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - all of them former Soviet republics. The Alliance permanently increases its presence there. NATO has managed to find the efficient tool to deploy more troops which does not violate any agreement. Troops arrive in the Baltic States under the pretext of military exercises in spite of Russia's indignation and discontent.
Moscow's reaction to NATO drills in the Baltic region is strongly negative. It considers NATO presence in the Baltic countries as violating parity of power in Europe.
Assurances of the Secretary General who stressed that NATO does not pose a threat to Russia and Belarus, which border Baltic's NATO member states, have not been regarded as truth. He mentioned many times that the Alliance has no military buildup in the region. Nevertheless, Russia expresses concern over NATO's military activity.
It is become known that during NATO's exercise Brilliant Jump II 2020, starting at the end of October, troops and equipment are deploying from the Czech Republic, Poland and Spain via road, rail, air and sea to Lithuania, primarily bound for the Pabrade Military Training area. In September preparatory activities begun, as part of which troops are moving within territories of these Allies. Brilliant Jump II 2020 designed to increase and demonstrate the readiness and mobility of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), kicked off on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 in Northern Europe. It is designed in two parts: a primarily maritime phase from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, followed by a deployment phase over land from Oct. 28 to Nov.6.
Participating land units will encompass a Brigade HQ, Spearhead Battalion, Special Forces and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Task Force HQ (all provided by Poland), a Mechanized Battalion from the Czech Republic, a Mechanized Company from Lithuania, as well as an Infantry Battalion from Spain.
The main objective of the exercise is to maintain the readiness of VJTF forces such that they can quickly deploy and, simultaneously, practice/enhance logistic interoperability with allies and partners.
"Our exercises seize opportunities for NATO and Allied nations to sharpen warfighting skills by focusing on high-end capabilities," said Vice Admiral Keith Blount, Commander of Allied Maritime Command. "Exercise Brilliant Jump II 20 showcases that we remain prepared for operations in peace, crisis and conflict and that we are always ready to deploy our forces wherever needed, quickly and effectively."
The more so, upon completion, some VJTF units will participate in the Lithuanian-led exercise Iron Wolf. This drill's aim is to train enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Brigade to plan and conduct decisive action operations and enhance the level of interoperability of multinational forces. It is planned to be held from November 9 till 22 in Lithuania.
France is also an active participant of NATO build up in the region. Fully integrated into the Battle Group of the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP BG), the French operational mission LYNX has been deployed in Lithuania for a 6-month period. It is the second deployment of this type since 2018. Since their arrival in early July in the Rukla military camp, the French soldiers have been in regular contact with their Lithuanian counterparts from Host Nation Support. There is also the support element of the Iron Wolf Brigade, to whom the NATO Battle Group is subordinate.
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