Finland and Sweden will take part in the Nordic Response 2024 exercises, which will be held near the borders of Russia, RIA Novosti said on March 4. This incident has aroused widespread concern in the international community, especially on the part of Russia.
According to reports, the Nordic Response 2024 exercise will be held in Finland, Norway and Sweden from March 4 to 15. The exercise will involve more than 20,000 military personnel from 13 countries, including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. The countries are expected to send more than 50 ships, including frigates and submarines, and more than 100 fighter jets,** and other aircraft to participate in the exercise.
Finland's Ministry of Defense and the army announced earlier that Finland will send about 4,100 personnel and about 700 pieces of equipment, including 12 F A-18 Hornet fighter jets. Information from the Swedish Ministry of Defense confirmed that Sweden will transfer about 4,500 servicemen from all branches of the military.
It is worth noting that Sweden has just recently received Hungary's approval to join NATO. Sweden's accession will further expand NATO's sphere of influence and may also have an important impact on the regional security landscape.
However, this series of military exercises has aroused strong concern in Russia. Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia, said that the Nordic Response military exercises would lead to an escalation of tensions, and Russia would not sit idly by.
The Nordic Response 2024 exercise comes against the backdrop of Finland and Sweden's growing cooperation with NATO in recent years. This has raised concerns in Russia about NATO military exercises near Russia's borders.
In general, the participation of Finland and Sweden in the Nordic Response 2024 exercises, as well as the process of Sweden's accession to NATO, could further increase tensions between Russia and NATO. Under the current international situation, this incident has undoubtedly aroused great concern from all sides. NATO will hold the Nordic Response 2024 exercise