NATO General: Russia Prepping for ‘Big War’

Czech Army Gen. Petr Pavel, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, said Russia’s Zapad 2017 war games are preparation for a “big war,” and the massive concentration of troops could lead to a “human mistake” that leads to a real conflict.

 

Such comments, including Pavel’s warning that the Russian war games could lead to “unintended consequences of potential incidents” are not uncommon during large-scale military exercises by either side. But the general’s true concern is over troop numbers—Russia says it’s deployed 13,000 and NATO says it’s closer to 10 times that number.

Russia Begins Large-Scale Air Defense Drills in Siberia

“The drills are taking place at special firing ranges in the Primorye Territory and Buryatia, where the servicemen will be tasked with destroying about 50 various targets,” the press service said.

U.S. to Conduct Strategic Bomber Exercise

Nuclear drills follow ‘massive’ Russian war games last week

The U.S. Strategic Command, which is in charge of waging nuclear war, will hold large-scale bomber exercises this week—days after Russia held what Moscow called “massive” war games simulating a U.S. and NATO nuclear attack.

Ten U.S. B-52 bombers and up to six B-2 strategic bombers will take part in the war games called “Global Lightning 14” from Monday through May 16, the command said in a statement late Sunday.