Russia says it considers NATO military exercise Steadfast Defender a ‘threat’

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Wednesday said it considers NATO’s Steadfast Defender 2024 military exercise a “threat,” and termed the US-led military alliance an "instrument of confrontation."

“This is a threat to us, and that’s how we treat it,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters at a press briefing in Moscow.

He said Moscow is constantly taking appropriate measures against such “threats," especially in the backdrop of how NATO has been “continuously moving its military infrastructure towards our borders for several decades.”

The Steadfast Defender 2024, NATO’s biggest military exercise since the end of the Cold War, began last week and will continue at numerous locations until May 31.

About 90,000 troops from 31 NATO allies and partner Sweden will participate in the drill and will “highlight NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the Alliance to reinforce the defence of Europe.”

- Ukraine’s top commander being 'replaced'

Peskov also commented on media reports claiming that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to replace the country’s commander-in-chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, saying it shows “everything is wrong” in Kyiv.

“Of course, (the Kremlin is following these reports). There are still a lot of questions. One thing remains obvious: the Kyiv regime has many problems, everything is wrong there. This is clear,” Peskov said.

He said Ukraine’s “failed” counteroffensive, which began last June, and “problems” on the front line lead to “growing contradictions among representatives."

“These contradictions will grow as the 'special military operation' continues successfully,” he added.