When a strategic bomber takes off from a military airfield anywhere in the world, the command centers of all the world's armies enter a state of increased readiness. Last month, the allies cruised a number of B-52 bombers across NATO airspace, including dropping bombs at the Ādaži training ground for demonstration and training purposes.
Of course, they were not nuclear bombs, but the explosions were still quite impressive and were noticed in the Kremlin. The training bombing in Ādaži was followed by an even greater movement of American bombers in the skies of many countries at the same time. "In commemoration of US Veterans Day, US strategic B-52s flew over all NATO countries in Europe and North America, demonstrating the capabilities and credibility of NATO and the US Air Force in Europe and Africa," the military portal Sargs reported.
Russia's response to such a demonstration of force, which was compounded by the recent exacerbation of the chronically bad relationship, was immediate. New troops will be or already are being deployed at the western border, and this fact also applies to Latvia in the most direct way. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu has stated that US and NATO military activities in the west of Russia are demanding a response from Moscow:
"The actions of our Western colleagues are destroying the world's security system and force us to take adequate countermeasures. We aim to constantly improve the combat composition of our troops.” Russian media report that, according to the minister, by the end of the year, 20 new military formations with 2,000 pieces of military equipment in armaments will be deployed in the Western war area. What they will be - tanks, armored vehicles or cannons - is not specified. The intensity of combat missions has already been significantly increased in the existing units of the Western war area. In the Baltic Sea fleet - by 30%, and the intensity of aviation flights in the war area by 4%.
The Russian media emphasizes that in the Western-Russian military rivalry, Russia is only responding to Western provocations, since it is peaceful and wishes only the best for the whole world. Here is a quote from a commentator from the news agency Rossiya Segodnya:
"Overall, the purposeful increase in US military activity in the Baltic region, the controversial training of American strategic bombers 400 kilometers from St. Petersburg and 700 kilometers from Moscow, as well as the active participation of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in such events, is the reason for Russia's response."
From Latvia's point of view, who started first and who provokes who is a secondary issue. What is important is that there is a continuing military crowding at the Latvian border, which is also the external border of the European Union and NATO, and it is good that the allies are physically here. In Russia's Western war area, mobilization exercises are continuing these days in preparation for the biggest maneuver in four years - Zapad 2021. The Russian armed forces are approaching a state of maximum combat readiness. Therefore, all countries close to Russia and Belarus, but especially Ukraine, must be careful now.
As the NATO meeting of June 14 approaches, advisers to the Presidents of the Baltic States, Poland and Ukraine have just gathered in Vilnius for a discussion. According to LETA, foreign and national security advisers to the presidents of the three Baltic states and Poland usually take part in such discussions, but this time Ukraine has also been invited. The advisers also discussed the situation in Ukraine, Russia's actions and reaction to the landing of the Ryanair passenger plane in Minsk by the Belarussian authorities. The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, then issued a statement to the public:
"The Baltic States and Poland share the same assessment of the security environment created by Russia’s aggressive and disruptive behavior and rhetoric. We must work together to find solutions for strengthening our security and defense. We must do it in close collaboration with other NATO allies who contribute to ensuring the security across our region, effective deterrence and defense.”
Relations with Russia will be one of the central topics at the forthcoming NATO summit in Brussels. For the first time, US President Joe Biden will also take part. Two days later, on June 16, he is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva. In diplomatic terms, the meeting is unlikely to be productive, as Russia began sending "uncomfortable signals" to America already a month before the meeting. For example, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that during the meeting, Putin intends to raise the issue of the riots in the US Capitol on January 6 and the persecution of their perpetrators. (Just like Russia is reproached for putting opposition Navalny in prison).
In turn, the increase of troops on the Latvian border, in the Baltic Sea and in the airspace is by definition a very "uncomfortable signal" for the strongest NATO country.
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