The U.S. and Russia arrived in Europe for war games
Two American B-1 bomber and B-52 Stratofortress arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday for the annual international tournament in the war games at the same time as the controversial Russian military exercises.
According to NATO, from 30 August to 9 September it is expected that more than 30 aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles from eight allied countries will conduct exercises with live fire. "The exercises will focus on advanced training in air activities, as well as on the strengthening of cooperation between NATO allies and partner countries", - said in a statement from the U.S. European command.
Unofficially, a joint military display is intended to serve as not so subtle manifestation of force aimed at Russia, which is preparing for a large-scale military exercises in Belarus next month. The US and its NATO partners have closely followed the Russian military maneuvers after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and regularly participate in military exercises to deter potential Russian aggression.
Tensions between the West and Russia in recent years has increased, largely due to the annexation of Russia in the Crimea and support separatists in Eastern Ukraine. In June, the U.S. air force has deployed long-range bombers B-52 and 800 airmen in support of joint exercises with allies and NATO partners, in Europe.
Nuclear B-52 Stratofortress took part in a series of joint military exercises on the doorstep of Russia - especially in the Baltic, Arctic and on the Russian border with several partners from NATO.