PRESS RELEASE

---

Simultaneous Russian, NATO Exercises

Aug. 24, 2015 (EIRNS)—The Russian Defense Ministry announced, this morning, that in addition to new military exercises in the Arctic region, there will also be exercises in the Western and Central military districts, involving 6,000 troops. "Since Aug. 24, massive special exercises on the comprehensive support of forces will be held in line with the training plan of the Russian Armed Forces," the ministry said, reports TASS.

The special exercises, which run through Aug. 29 will conclude with a range of events on preparing for the strategic command and staff drills, Center 2015.

The Northern Fleet will also be conducting exercises in the Arctic.

"Today, a tactical exercise of the forces and troops of the Northern Fleet began in the Arctic. The drill takes place on the Taymyr Peninsula near the city of Norilsk,"

Northern Fleet spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Vadim Serga said.

These newly announced Russian exercises come as NATO exercise Swift Response 2015, which began on Aug. 20, is reaching its peak. Swift Response, NATO’s largest airborne exercise since the end of the Cold War, is featuring a night-time parachute drop of over 400 paratroopers from the United States, Bulgaria and Italy into the Novo Selo training area in Bulgaria overnight tonight, reports Sofia News Agency (novinite.com).

Swift Response runs through Sept. 13.