Russia warns Norway over U.S. missile systems deployed during NATO drills

Russia has threatened to consider military action against Norway after U.S. missile systems were deployed there during NATO exercises, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying Moscow retains the right to plan their “combat use.”

The warning followed the “Operation Atlantic City” exercises, also called “Atlantic City 26,” held in Norway from Aug. 26 to Sept. 4 with the participation of the United States and Britain. During the drills, the U.S. Navy moved a four-cell mobile missile-launching module to the Trondheim region. The launcher had been disguised as a maritime container.

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combat use

Zakharova said the U.S. weapons could support NATO aggression against Russia in carrying out “strategic tasks.” She warned that the deployment sites, command centers and supporting infrastructure would draw the attention of Russia’s strategic deterrence forces and become priority targets in the event of an armed conflict.

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strategic tasks

She said Moscow would take into account that systems deployed in Norway could cover a substantial area of European Russia, including Moscow, with Tomahawk missiles. Russian authorities also believe the Western deployment is an attempt to take control of shipping in the region.

Specialized sources cited in the report said the northern European maneuvers formed part of NATO’s Arctic defense initiative, “Arctic Sentry.” One of the exercises’ main tasks was to move containerized launchers for Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles in order to test long-range air transport between regions.

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trying to take control of shipping