First Operations of NATO Anaconda 2016 Military Exercises Begin in Poland

The first multinational operations within the framework of Anaconda 2016 Military Exercises, launched by NATO countries, begin in Poland on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The airdrop of more than 1,000 parachutists will be held over the northern Polish city of Torun. Furthermore, the engineers will build a bridge over the Vistula river to carry 300 vehicles.

The drills will last until June 17. The exercises are involving 31,000 troops from 24 NATO countries. A total of 3,000 military vehicles, 105 aircraft, 12 naval vessels are taking part in the maneuvers.

During the official opening ceremony in Warsaw on Monday, Polish Minister of Defense Antoni Macierewicz noted that the Anaconda drills would check the NATO's ability to defend its eastern flank.

The Anaconda exercises are being held every two years. In 2016, the main goal of the drills is to practice the cooperation between allied countries during the joint defensive operation.

Anaconda 2016 exercises are held just weeks before NATO summit in Warsaw.

NATO exercises and deployments near Russia since 2014

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