Russia parades, NATO sends troops close to border for large-scale exercises

NATO's large-scale international exercise "Spring Storm 2017", involving nearly 9,000 troops, began on May 8 in Estonia, according to the General Staff of the Republic's Defense Forces.

NATO troops conduct exercises near the Russian border.

"Nearly 2,300 foreign troops from 13 countries will take part in large-scale NATO exercises together with the Estonian army. In total, nearly 9,000 soldiers will participate in the exercises, which will be held from May 8 to 26," the statement said. The exercises will take place in the northeast of the country near the Russian border.

The exercise will involve more than 800 British soldiers stationed in Estonia as part of the NATO international battalion, as well as 300 French soldiers from the battalion. Germany is sending 400 troops to participate in the military exercise.

Units representing the United States, Latvia and Lithuania will also participate. The exercise will also include troops from the Netherlands, Poland, Canada, Finland, Ukraine, Spain and Georgia.

The exercise will involve American M1A2 Abrams tanks, British Challenger 2 tanks and French Leclercs, as well as armored vehicles of allies and Estonian defense forces: CV9035, Warrior, Bradley, VBCI, Marder. Last year, "Spring Storm" was held with the participation of more than 1,500 foreign soldiers.

According to Sputnik