NATO Holds Aggressive "Spring Storm" Exercises on Russian Border in Estonia!

This week, NATO's been recruiting new personnel. U.S. Air Force General Tod Wolters assumed the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe in Europe. Secretary General Stoltenberg reminded him that for 70 years the alliance was held together by the necessity of deterring the Soviet Union.

This week, NATO's been recruiting new personnel. U.S. Air Force General Tod Wolters assumed the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe in Europe. Secretary General Stoltenberg reminded him that for 70 years the alliance was held together by the necessity of deterring the Soviet Union. The aggressive neighbor legend is still the best means of preserving unity in NATO. The first major exercise under the leadership of the new commander, called Spring Storm, is being held in Estonia, close to the Russia border. 9,000 servicemen from 13 NATO countries, Ukraine, and Georgia are taking part in it. The hypothetical frontline was put in the same location where the brutal Operation Narva was executed in 1944. Urban combat exercises are being held in the primarily Russian-speaking neighborhoods of Estonia.

Daria Grigorova with the details.

 

The land forces consist of the Estonian Army and the NATO international combat group led by Britain: 5 Leclerc tanks and 25 MICVs. The air forces are represented by German and British fighter jets, the tigerish Su-22 from Poland, which was built back in Soviet times, British Wildcat helicopters, and their American Apache counterparts. The naval forces consist of a NATO ship group led by USS Gravely. Almost 10,000 servicemen and 250 units of heavy military vehicles are only a few dozen kilometers away from the Russian border.

These military vehicle convoys have been driving along Estonian roads today. There will be at least 40 of them, according to the Estonian Defense Ministry. The Estonian soldiers in the convoy happily wave at the camera while riding towards the Russian border. The large-scale Spring Storm exercises are being held in the northeast of Estonia where the majority of the population, up to 95% in some towns, is Russian.

Stanislav Pupkevich, former police officer: "I personally treat that as an act of disregard for the people. It's no surprise that they're preparing to fight on the streets of these cities".

The strategic value of the region where Spring Storm is being held is best seen here, in Narva. The Estonian Hermann castle on one bank and the Ivangorod castle with a Russian flag on the other. The two banks are connected by a bridge called Friendship. But the atmosphere here is not always friendly. First, the Livonian War; then, the Great Northern War. But the most terrible one was the Great Patriotic War. According to various estimates, up to 100,000 soldiers were killed liberating Narva. Several SS volunteer divisions were defending the Sinimäe hills: the Dutch, the Norwegian, the Danish, and the Estonian ones. The footage shows a fierce battle. One can even spot burning tanks.

Yelena Välme, tour guide: "Due to its strategic geographic position, the city of Narva will always be a battlefield".

Today, the Russians from Estonian Siberia, that's what the city is called, are openly called a threat by right-wing politicians. Despite the high level of education in the country, the city has the lowest wages and the highest level of unemployment. The locals, both the Russians and Estonians, don't believe that the other bank threatens them.

- Do you believe that Russia might attack Estonia?

- No. There's nothing here. We don't have anything here apart from shale. It's not like we have oil or gas.

At the same time, Estonia is one of five countries that continues to meet the requirements of the alliance. Estonia invests a minimum of 2% of its annual GDP into defense and plans to increase it to 3%. President Trump hinted that others should learn from the example of the Baltic republic. His goal is to monetize the security guarantees provided to Eastern Europe.

Estonia is holding a major exercise in which Ukrainian troops are taking part. Ukrainian servicemen are also taking part in the exercise held by the exemplar Estonia. The ZSU Press Service published this photo of a pilot testing a new helmet. The photos of the opening ceremony are less flattering: the soldier standing with the Ukrainian flag is the only one looking down.

The main maneuvers are yet to be held. This exercise isn't limited to firing ranges. Here in Johvi, the exercise will be held on May 9th. The hypothetical frontline will be drawn along the Narva Highway. Urban combat exercises will last all day long from 6 AM to 10 PM. The locals were warned about that.

- What are you planning to do on May 9th, the day of the exercise?

- I'll be watching the Parade.

Victory Day is actively celebrated in the Estonian city of Johvi. The residents carry flowers to the monument of the Unknown Soldier. Despite foreign armies on their streets, this year won't be an exception.

Daria Grigorova and Anton Chagaev Vesti, Estonia.