Sweden participates together with the other 31 NATO members.
Steadfast Defender is described as the largest NATO exercise in decades.
– It is carried out to clearly demonstrate the alliance’s ability to deter adversaries and demonstrate NATO’s ability to strengthen Europe. It is practiced by moving troops across the Atlantic from North America to Europe, emphasizes the Swedish Armed Forces.
Warns of “military incident”
The extensive military exercise consists of several stages and operations.
On Friday, an exercise begins in Finland. Up to 20,000 NATO soldiers are expected to participate.
It makes Russia see red.
Maria Zacharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, calls the military exercises in Finland “provocative”.
– It increases the risk of military incidents, she tells the Russian state news agency RIA.
– NATO’s military exercises near the Russian borders are of a provocative nature. Their task is to put military pressure on the Russian Federation through a show of force, Zacharova continues, adding menacingly:
– Russia will take all necessary measures to stop threats to our country’s defense capabilities.
Great exercise in the coming weeks
During weeks 18 and 19, Sweden will participate in the NATO exercise Immediate Response.
Under the direction of the Armed Forces, American troops will be transported from the Norwegian border, via Sweden, to Finland. The transports will last for just over a week in May. The soldiers will travel along the roads in Norrbotten towards the final destination Finland. Affected road sections are Riksgränsen – Boden, as well as Boden – Haparanda and Boden – Pello.
Urges the public
The military convoys are about a kilometer long and sometimes drive slower than the set speed limit.
– This will have a major impact on the accessibility of traffic, states the Swedish Armed Forces.
The public is asked to consider the following:
– Follow the authorities’ information about the military transports. You can do this, among other things, via signs and directions, traffic information on Sweden’s radio P4 Norrbotten and on the Swedish Transport Agency’s website.
– If you are in the same area as the military transports, drive carefully and choose alternative routes if possible.
– If you are racing a military column along the road, get behind it and keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you. If it is necessary to overtake, make sure it is done safely. When the vehicles drive through communities/towns, they keep a shorter distance and then overtaking is not allowed.
– It is forbidden according to the Protection Act to fly drones over protected objects with photography and imaging prohibited.
Photo: President of Russia or the Armed Forces
Text: The editors
