Russian security official: NATO rehearses for conflict scenario with Moscow

Mr Patrushev also said that NATO's increasing military spending was a sign of the alliance's "increasingly aggressive nature".
The exercise, hailed as the biggest NATO event in decades, began in late January and will end in May.

According to Supreme Allied Commander Europe Christopher Cavoli, the exercise involves around 90,000 troops from all 32 member states. In addition, there are 1,100 combat vehicles, including 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles, along with more than 50 naval vessels and 80 helicopters, drones and fighter jets.

Speaking on March 7, Mr. Patrushev said that the "Resolute Defender 2024" exercise, "in which the scenario of armed confrontation with Russia is being rehearsed, will certainly increase tensions and destabilize the world situation." He declared that "the destructive role of the United States in modern history is obvious" and noted that no other country "has caused so many wars and military conflicts."

Patrushev described NATO as a “key tool” used by Washington to exert pressure and influence over other countries. The top Russian official pointed out that the Brussels-based military bloc had moved right up to Russia’s western borders and was preparing for future conflicts. He also warned that NATO was planning to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as in the Arctic.

Late last month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also assessed the exercises as a threat and NATO as a “confrontation tool” used by the US.
Speaking ahead of the January exercise, General Cavoli said the event would simulate “emerging conflict scenarios against a near-peer adversary”, covering thousands of kilometres across Europe.

Earlier this year, senior officials from NATO member states, including Britain, Germany and Estonia, accused Russia of planning an attack on the military bloc within the next few years. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations, with President Vladimir Putin stressing that Russia has “no interest… geopolitically, economically or militarily… in waging war against NATO.”