Russia is actively attracting information resources to present NATO large -scale exercises under the code name "Steadfast Defender 2024" as provocative, states the report of the American Institute for War Study (ISW). It should be noted that these exercises will last until the end of May and will attract about 90,000 servicemen.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously stated that NATO's have a provocative and aggressive nature, demonstrating the "demonstration of force" at the Threshold of Russia. The ISW report indicates that Russia is trying to distract from its own aggressive rhetoric and NATO -aimed behavior.
Analysts also emphasize that the Russian information operation aims to create information preconditions for future aggressive actions against NATO member countries and their neighbors. They believe that Vladimir Putin pursues the purpose of weakening and destroying NATO, not defending Russia from the existing threat.
According to ISW, the latest exercises of this scale were Reforger in 1988 and Trident Juncture in 2018. The Steadfast Defender 2024 training will focus on the implementation of NATO regional and defensive plans, as well as on the deployment of the Alliance Rapid Response forces on the Eastern Flanging.
