Disinfo: Defender Europe 2021 is anti-Russian exercise

Summary

One of the reasons for the activities of Western forces near the border with Russia is the preparation for big military exercises “Defender Europe 2021”.

According to the scenario of exercises, NATO's forces will assault the Kaliningrad district, block Western districts of Russia and “repel a massive attack of Russians”.

The anti-Russian nature of “Defender Europe 2021” is obvious.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO.

NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states. During the Warsaw summit in July 2016, NATO has made it clear that:

"The Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia".

NATO's exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia – or any other country. Exercises are designed to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate together and ready to respond to any threat from any direction.

For more information about NATO-Russia relations and disinformation narratives about NATO, see here and here.

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  • Reported in: Issue 242
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 16/04/2021
  • Article language(s) Russian, Lithuanian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Europe, Russia
  • Keywords: Military exercise, Anti-Russian, NATO, West, Kaliningrad, Destabilising Russia
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