The International Army Games, organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, will be held in various locations in Russia August 1-15. According to the Defense Ministry, it will feature 13 contests. NATO member states were invited to take part in the contest, but declined, citing political reasons. The competition will gather 57 teams from 17 countries.
"I believe, there will come a day when our colleagues from Western European countries, the United States will venture upon an open competition. If you will, it is in a way a challenge to our colleagues from NATO countries, Western Europe to compete at our ranges," Antonov told reporters.
The deputy defense minister noted Russia's readiness to visit NATO ranges to demonstrate during the games "who is better, who is more powerful, more trained and qualified."
Relations between NATO and Russia deteriorated sharply amid the Ukrainian crisis, with the alliance blaming Moscow for its interference in the Ukraine internal conflict, a claim that Moscow has repeatedly denied.
