NATO Urges Russia to Hold ‘More Transparent’ Military Drills

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Russia Tuesday to hold military exercises in a "more transparent" way after the Russian Defense Ministry announced a snap combat-readiness inspection of its air and air defense units in the country's Central Military District on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Some 12,000 personnel and 250 aircraft are taking part in the four-day exercises, according to the ministry.

"We urge Russia not to… do these kinds of snap exercises. Every nation has the right to exercise its forces, also Russia, but they should do it in a more transparent and predictable way to avoid any misunderstandings," Stoltenberg told CBS News.

On Monday, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said that Russia notified the members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe about the drills.

Meanwhile, the US Air Force is currently taking part in the multinational Arctic Challenge Exercises, hosted by Norway, Finland and Sweden.