Russia rattled as allied forces prepare for major 'Cold War era' military exercises
MORE than 25,000 military personnel from 24 countries are taking part in a major US-led exercise in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania next month.
Major military exercises are taking place next month
Several US B-1B heavy bombers have already flown into Britain in support of two separate multinational exercises planned in the Baltic region and other parts of Europe this month to improve coordination among allies.
The plans were announced by Germany-based US European Command, which said this year's Sabre Guardian exercise - held annually in the Black Sea region since 2013 - was "larger in both scale and scope" than previous exercises.
The plans are sure to ramp up tensions that are already running high between Moscow and Washington.
US airshow puts on TERRIFYING military firebomb display
Sabre Guardian will feature live fire exercises
It is deterrence in action
Russia scrambled a fighter jet to intercept a nuclear-capable US B-52 strategic bomber it accused of flying over the Baltic Sea near its border, in an incident that had echoes of the Cold War.
Washington said the long-range bomber was operating in international airspace.
European Command said Sabre Guardian would include an array of live fire exercises, river crossings and a mass casualty exercise and was aimed at drilling "the ability to mass forces at any given time anywhere in Europe".
A military spokesman said: ”It is deterrence in action.”
More than 25,000 troops will take part in Sabre Guardian
The US Army said the larger exercise would be preceded by several smaller events - all aimed at shoring up the security and stability of the Black Sea region, where increased Russian submarine activity has sparked concerns.
The exercise rotates through Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine, with a goal to increase the ability of European and US military forces to operate together in the event of an armed conflict.
It will be the largest of 18 separate Black Sea exercises planned this year.
News of the exercises has ramped up tensions between Russia and the US
The B-1B bombers were deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to a UK air base in Fairford to support two separate exercises planned this month.
An undisclosed number of B-1B bombers will join three B-52H bombers that are already in Europe for training.
BALTOPS is a recurring multinational exercise that will involve 4,000 shipboard personnel, 50 ships and submarines and more than 50 aircraft.