There was a time when Nato would do its best to avoid direct mention of Russia when conducting its military manoeuvres. Not least for fear of provocation. But Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine has changed all that.
Now the alliance’s drills have Moscow in mind. One of the key stated objectives of Exercise Steadfast Defender is to deter Russia. It’s the alliance’s largest since the end of the Cold War, involving 90,000 military personnel and taking place right across Europe’s eastern flank over the next few months.
Steadfast Defender is also the first test of Nato’s new military plans – designed to move troops and equipment at speed and scale to bolster any ally under attack. And it’s an affirmation of the very purpose of Nato – that an attack on one would prompt a response from all.
Donald Trump may have called that into question, but America remains the backbone of that pledge and has committed huge resources to prove it.
The first stage of the exercise is taking place in the remote white wilderness of the Finnmark region of northern Norway. It’s not that far from Norway’s 120-mile border with Russia. Though in this scenario Finnmark’s been invaded by a fictional enemy called Occasus.
Eivor, a 21-year-old Norwegian medical student and part-time soldier, says her grandparents had to flee this same area when the Nazis invaded in World War Two.
“I’d rather stay here and fight,” she says. She says she’s not expecting the Russians to invade “but of course you always have to stay on your toes”.
It’s the first big Nato exercise with forces from Sweden and Finland taking part as fully fledged members.
There’s a palpable sense of excitement among their troops at becoming part of the world’s largest military alliance. They’re also more willing to identify the threat.
Preparing for a beach assault in a fjord, one Finnish marine said it made no sense for his country “being alone against Russia”. Another adds: “Nato kind of scares Russia.” A fellow Swedish marine says he feels “super safe” now his country’s finally joined the Alliance.
It’s a sentiment shared by their politicians too.
The defence ministers of Sweden, Finland and Norway celebrated their new Nordic unity as they watched part of the exercise – a symbolic border crossing of troops from Finland into Norway to expel the fictional invaders.
They were all smiles as they posed for photos in front of a rocket launcher.
Sweden’s defence minister, Pal Jonson, was not afraid to rub salt into Russia’s self-inflicted wounds. He described Sweden and Finland’s membership as “the mother of all unintended consequences” for Moscow.
Russia he said had been desperate to stop the two previously non-aligned countries from joining. It had failed.
Though in truth Finland’s membership has also brought Russia closer to Nato – with a shared border of more than 800 miles, which allies too will now have to be ready to defend.
