Russian troops were placed on 'combat alert' amid massive NATO exercises currently underway in eastern Europe
VLADIMIR Putin has ordered his army and air force to prepare for a time of war during a check of the countrys armed forces.
Russias defence ministry confirmed the measures during a snap check that included its massive S-300 and S-400 missile defence systems.
Getty Images
Reuters
Reuters
AP:Associated Press
EPA
Minister Sergey Shoigu said: "As part of a snap combat readiness check of the Aerospace Force, units of the Aerospace Forces antiaircraft missile and radio-technical troops have arrived at the designated areas," TASS reported.
"Upon their arrival at the new positions, the crews of radar stations, S-300 and S-400 antiaircraft missile systems carried out maintenance work on their military hardware and went on combat alert.
"As the combat crews of radar stations and antiaircraft missile systems detect unidentified aerial targets, air defense patrol fighter jets will be scrambled to classify them or notionally destroy them."
The warning is a likely a response to the massive NATO operations currently underway in eastern Europe.
Germany and NATO this week underscored their commitment to beefing up the defence of eastern Europe's border with Russia as the first of four new batallions under the North Atlantic alliance's banner arrived in Lithuania.
In moves agreed last year under former President Barack Obama, NATO is expanding its presence in the region to levels unprecedented since the Cold War, prompted by Russia's annexation of Crimea and accusations that it is supporting a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The German-led battle group of 1,000 troops in Lithuania will be joined this year by a U.S-led deployment in Poland, British-led troops in Estonia and Canadian-led troops in Latvia.
EPA
AP:Associated Press
AP:Associated Press
Reuters
They will add to smaller rotating contingents of U.S troops.
Doubts about the US commitment to NATO have surfaced since the election of President Donald Trump, who has described NATO allies as "very unfair" for not contributing more financially to the alliance.
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Europe realised it needed to strengthen defence cooperation and was doing more to solve its own problems.
She also said U.S. Secretary of Defence James Mattis reassured her about Washington's commitment to NATO in a recent telephone call.
"After what we discussed, I have no doubt about his deep conviction in the importance of NATO and the commitment of the Americans within NATO to what we have agreed," she said at a welcoming ceremony at Lithuania's Rukla military base, 62 miles from the Russian border.
Reuters
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us attips@the-sun.co.ukor call 0207 782 4368.
Go here to read the rest:
- NATO Protesters Receive 5- To 8-Year Prison Terms [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Latvia: US troops arrive in Baltics for NATO drill - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- No NATO. May 2012. Archive. Chicago, Il - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Erkkio Tuomioja: "Nato suojaa Suomea meteoriiteilta". - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- US troops arrive in Latvia for NATO exercises: Baltic states concerned by Russian military threat - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Voglio andare a vivere a Laveno dove e' nato Pozzetto - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- OcaqTv - Rusiya NATO srhdini pozdu -- F-16-lar havaya qalxd - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Men of War Assault Squad Cold War Mod - NATO vs Warsaw Pact - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- US troops in Poland: American soldiers arrive for NATO exercises in response to Russia threat - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Ancona 23-04-14 PdCI - La crisi dell'Ucraina, la NATO e l'UE: pericoli di guerra e lotta x la Pace - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Eastermonday Peace ralley NATO Bchel germany 21.04.2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- How to change Gear 2 Strap NATO no tool needed - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- In Context: The War Report #3 - Ukraine and NATO - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- On The Wrist Omega Speedmaster Black NATO Strap - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- US, NATO expanding on Russia doorstep: Analyst - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO War Games Send Warning to Moscow - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO to deploy recon flights over Poland [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Nato News [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO - State [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO: Definition from Answers.com - Answers - The Most ... [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Marine Le Pen: Vyvediem Franczsko z NATO - francztina, rutina - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- 5 NATO troops killed in Kandahar Afghanistan UK's helicopter crash - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- European observers detained in Ukraine are branded 'Nato spies' - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Prostittas priecjas par NATO karavriem Latvij - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- MV Bill - A Luz #PersianaBaixaMix (prod. DJ Nato pk) Part. @KmillaCdd - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Furious Russia Proposes Retaliation Against NATO Countries! - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Conversation: NATO's Evolving Mission - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO supply trucks stuck in Pakistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO troops killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Slovakia: NATO exercises in Central Europe - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- "NATO 3" individuals sentenced - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO exercise scenario: Naval response to invasion of allied country [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- NATO News and Video - FOX News Topics - FOXNews.com [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- RAF Typhoons Arrive in Lithuania to Reinforce NATO Air Policing Mission - Video [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- Poland: French Rafale fighter jets join NATO force - Video [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- RAF Deploys Typhoon Jets To Bolster Nato Air Policing Mission - Video [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- Sunday 4/27/2014 - Tarpley Points Out Fake-OSCE Observers Are Actually NATO Military Officers - Video [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- Germany: Pro-Russians rally against NATO in Frankfurt - Video [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- April 28 2014 Breaking News NATO minesweepers set off on Baltic deployment - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- NATO forces serve world bankers: Analyst - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- 2 NATO troops killed in attack in eastern Afghanistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- STEFANO BORGONOVO:ATTACCANTE NATO IL DOCUMENTARIO - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- RAF Deploys Typhoon Jets To Bolster NATO Air Policing Mission [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO opens second Baltic air base in Estonia with 4 Danish fighter jets amid Ukraine crisis [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO triples fighter jets in Baltic countries - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Lithuania: US hands over NATO air patrol to UK - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Ukraine: Kerry announces more support from NATO towards coup - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Scoring Political Points? NATO bolsters forces in Eastern Europe - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Putin: NATO Chief Rasmussen secretly taped, leaked meeting when he was Danish PM - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Russia Accuses NATO of 'Provocative' Actions - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO & its future NAZI headquarters - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO Fest 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- RAF Jets Respond To Ukraine Crisis 28.04.14 - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- OSCE team in Ukraine NATO spies: Analyst - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO commander: Europe concept on international borders changed after Crimea annexation [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO allies take over Baltic mission from Air Force [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO official says Russia must now be viewed as more of an enemy than a partner [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO official says Russia now an adversary [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization - The New York Times [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Estonian Air Base Turns Into Second NATO Baltic States Hub - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Finale Ligure Freeride H e Base nato con Patrik - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Ellodesse Mv.1, 2, 3 - nato in Synthesia - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO Boosts Presence in Eastern Europe Amid Continued Turmoil in Ukraine - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO's efforts to attain advancement in ariel warfare and defense HD Stock Footage - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Me Gusta By Nato 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Toward a Europe Whole and Free: Secretary of State John Kerry - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO official: Russian moves in Ukraine pose 'grave challenge' to global security system [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- As NATO Builds It's Forces The Economy Is On The Brink Of Collapse -- Episode 355 - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- 15 years on: NATO's Murino Massacre of innocent children remembered In the NOW. - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Nato -- finally finding its feet? - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Europe Responds to Russian Aggression: NATO opens second Baltic hub at Estonia's Amari air base - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- NATO air strength triples in Baltic states - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Russia now an adversary, NATO official says [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- NATO Movie - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- The Expandables: NATO talking heads, war tech on 'crusade control' - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Friend to Foe? NATO's Deputy Head classifies Russia as enemy over Ukrainian crisis - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Tiger's Eye Dance by Oasis Dancers at 2014 NATO - JVC Version - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Cleopatra's Dance by Oasis Dancers at 2014 NATO - JVC Version - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Slave To The Rhythm Dance by Oasis Dancer at 2014 NATO - JVC Version - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]