WAR GAMES on Putin's doorstep: British soldiers join Nato troops in HUGE show of force
THOUSANDS of Nato troops have begun two weeks of war games just miles from Russia’s border as relations between Moscow and the Western alliance continue to deteriorate.
NATO kick off Noble Partner exercises just outside of Russia
More than 3,000 soldiers from 13 countries - including Britain - are taking part in the Noble Partner exercises in Georgia.
US hardware including battle tanks, attack helicopters and armoured cars have been deployed by Washington, while 1,300 men from the host nation are involved.
The drills at Vaziani, outside the capital Tbilisi, include training for offensive and defensive operations as well as live fire exercises.
This year marks the fourth time Georgia has hosted the Noble Partner exercises and comes just a few days before the 10th anniversary of its war with Russia.
Georgia's president used the start of the 15-day drills to condemn Russia Vladimir Putin for continuing to occupy part of his country.
Speaking at an opening ceremony Giorgi Margvelashvili said: "Today you are standing on the territory of a country, twenty percent of which is absolutely illegally occupied by our neighbour Russia."
Russia and Georgia went to war in August 2008 over the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia.
Moscow continues to garrison troops there and to support another breakaway region, Abkhazia, after recognising both regions as independent states.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are conducting their own military drills in the North Caucasus region, which borders Georgia.
Moscow has yet to comment on this year’s drills but it has previously warned drills in Georgia could destabilise the region.
The start of the exercises come as Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Moscow has inside knowledge on the military plans of Western nations.
He said: "Rest assured, we are aware of the schemes harboured by the militaries of both the US and other Western countries against the Russian Federation.”
And while relations between many Nato members and Moscow have been tested in recent months, the alliance is also facing tough questions over its future.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly cast doubt over his commitment to the alliance, threatening to pull out if members do not live up to their financial commitments.
The US leader has also warned World War 3 could break out if Nato sent troops to the aid of one of its smaller members.
Using Montenegro as an example, Mr Trump questioned why American troops should be deployed to defend a small nation against invasion.