The exercise “does not contribute to confidence-building in Europe”, the Russian diplomatic mission said
According to TASS, a message posted on Twitter by the Russian embassy in Washington said that the international military exercise Arctic Challenge Exercise contradicts the peaceful development of the Arctic region.
“Russian diplomats called the manoeuvres involving the US Air Force provocative. The Russian diplomatic mission pointed out that the exercises “do not contribute to confidence-building in Europe” and “are at odds with Washington’s statements about the mission of ensuring sustainable and peaceful development of the Arctic region”, – the statement said.
According to open sources, Norway will participate in manoeuvres for the first time with F-35 fighters recently arrived in the Air Force. In particular, 12 F/A-18 Hornet fighters and a number of other aircraft will participate from Finland. In addition, the air forces of the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, the United States and NATO’s E-3A AWACS tactical long-range radar detection and control aircraft are involved in the exercise. The aim of the exercise is to practise joint airspace operations.