NATO Navies Now Conducting Exercises To Hunt For Russian Submarines

Royal Navy frigate HMS Kent with Allied warships, including USS Roosevelt, left, at the end of Dynamic Mongoose, July 9, 2020. British Royal Navy/LPhot Dan Rosenbaum

Business Insider: In the North Atlantic, NATO navies are practicing to take on a wave of Russian submarines

* In July, NATO navies conducted exercise Dynamic Mongoose, testing the abilities of their ships, subs, and aircraft to hunt enemy submarines.
* The US and its allies are increasingly focused on anti-submarine warfare, but countering all the subs a country like Russia or China could field in a war would still present a challenge.

NATO navies converged in the North Sea in late June for this year's Dynamic Mongoose anti-submarine-warfare exercise, reflecting a growing focus on countering enemy submarines amid "great-power competition" with Russia and China.

During the exercise, US Navy destroyer USS Roosevelt and four other surface ships took turns hunting and being hunted by Navy fast-attack sub USS Indiana and four other subs in the waters off Iceland.

"It was fantastic because we would have such a small, confined area that it forced interaction between the submarine and the surface ships," Cmdr. Ryan Kendall, commanding officer of the Roosevelt, said in an interview.

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WNU Editor: Here is the Russian submarine fleet that NATO will need to face .... Here Are All the Submarines of the Russian Navy in One Infographic (Popular Mechanics).

Belgian F-16s Dispatched To Intercept Russian Su-24s, Su-27s And Su-30s Maneuvering Over The US Destroyer USS Donald Cook In The Baltics (Video)

The Aviationist: Belgian F-16s were dispatched to intercept Russian Su-24s, Su-27s and Su-30s maneuvering over US destroyer in the Baltics.

In the late morning of Apr. 17, 2020, Belgian Air Force F-16s currently deployed to Siauliai, Lithuania, to support NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission intercepted a group of Russian Federation Air Force fighters in the Baltic Sea.

According to the Allied Air Command, “the Russian fighters were maneuvering in international airspace overflying the USS Donald Cook, a US Navy 6th Fleet destroyer currently operating in the Baltic Sea off the Lithuanian coast. The Belgian F-16 conducted a professional intercept and left the scene, demonstrating that NATO remains ready, vigilant and prepared to respond to any potential threat.”

Interestingly, the Belgians released some footage filmed from the cockpit (and through the pilot’s Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System) as the F-16s shadowed the Russian Su-24, Su-27 and Su-30SM.

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Update: F-16 fighter intercepted even more Russian jets 'overflying' a US warship, NATO says (Business Insider)

WNU Editor: The Belgium air force is definitely busy.

Russian MiG-31 Approaches Within A Few Hundred Meters A NATO F-16 Fighter Jet

Sputnik: Top Gunsky: Watch Russian MiG-31 Approach Within Few Hundred Meters of NATO Jet

Aerial encounters involving Russian and NATO warplanes saw a significant uptick in the wake of the 2014 Ukrainian crisis, as the Western alliance concentrated more and more forces near Russia’s western borders and ramped up reconnaissance and bombing run practice off the country’s Baltic and Black Sea coasts.

A YouTube user describing himself as a former Russian Air Force fighter pilot has uploaded a video showing a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet accompanying a Tu-95MS strategic bomber facing off with a NATO F-16.

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Update: Video from inside a Russian fighter jet shows a 'friendly' encounter with an F-16 (Business Insider)

WNU Editor: This was happening all the time during the Cold War. And while the rate of "intercepts" is not as high as it was 30-40-50 years ago, you have to wonder if anything has really changed since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Russia's Top General Believes NATO Is Gearing Up For War Against Russia

Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov (center) ©Pavel Gerasimov / Sputnik © Sputnik

RT: Intensified drills on Russia’s doorstep indicate NATO is gearing up for major conflict – Moscow’s top general

The increased intensity and scale of US-led NATO military exercises in the Baltics and Black Sea suggest the alliance is preparing for a major military conflict, said General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff.

NATO’s ramping up of large-scale war games in the Baltics, Poland and the Black Sea region show that it is gearing up for a major confrontation, Gerasimov said on Thursday, briefing foreign military attaches in Moscow.

Gerasimov pointed out that in addition to flexing its military muscles around Russian borders, the US continues to deploy its anti-ballistic missile systems to Europe, which Moscow considers to be an acute threat to its national security.

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WNU Editor: The Kremlin is backing the General's remarks .... That’s what the man says: Kremlin backs top general’s assessment that NATO is drilling for large-scale war (RT). As to what is my take. General Valery Gerasimov rarely makes public remarks. He is voicing the fears within the Russian military establishment that Russia is not ready to confront NATO in the event of an armed conflict.

More News On Russia's Top General Issuing A Warning On NATO Exercises

NATO Drill Scenarios Point to Preparation for Large-Scale Conflict - Russian General Staff -- Sputnik
Russia's top general warns NATO could spark 'large-scale military conflict' by staging exercises near eastern European border -- Daily Mail
Russia’s top military officer airs concern about NATO drills -- Washington Post
Russia’s top general warns World War 3 is coming in chilling prediction -- Daily Star
Why Russia Felt Threatened By Estonia's Largest Ever Military Exercise With NATO -- National Interest

Russian President Putin And His National Security Council Meet To Discuss Strategy For The Next Decade

The sun sets over U.S. Navy equipment at Naval Support Facility Deveselu in Romania, home to NATO's Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defense System site, August 9. Moscow has long condemned the site as part of a global missile shield undermining Russian national security. Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Amy Forsythe/Naval Support Facility Deveselu

Newsweek: Russia Warns NATO Is 'Approaching Our Borders,' Discusses Strategy for New Decade

Russian President Vladimir Putin gathered his national security council Friday in a bid to anticipate upcoming challenges faced by Moscow, as the country prepares for the new decade with some of the worst ties with the West and its U.S.-led NATO alliance since the dawn of the 21st century.

Addressing senior officials at the Kremlin, Putin said Friday he planned "to discuss ways and prospects for the development of the Russian military in the upcoming decade, until 2030." He said the council would "outline the tasks we will have to deal with in order to guarantee Russia's national interests and security," specifically highlighting the role of the various branches of the armed forces "in ensuring Russia's sovereignty."

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WNU Editor: The Kremlin's international priority right now is next month's summit with Ukraine on finding a pathway to end the current war in eastern Ukraine. Peace in Ukraine will be a lessening of tensions with Europe, both politically and militarily. But if things do collapse, I expect Russia will reverse its trend of smaller defense budgets, and embark on a major military buildup deploying hypersonic missiles and other high-end military equipment.

Russian Military Plane Intercepted Off Denmark By An F-16 Painted In The Style Of The Danish Banner

From above: The Russian jet, a Soviet-era IL-20M spy plane, did not enter Danish airspace after it was intercepted by Danish aircraft including the repainted F-16 (seen at the bottom of this picture). The Russian plane is designated Coot-A by Nato

Daily Mail: Flying the flag! Russian military plane is intercepted off of Denmark… by F-16 that had been painted in the style of the Danish banner

 * The fighter jet was painted red and white to mark 800 years of the Danish flag, which was adopted in 1219
 * It was sent into action on Monday to confront a Russian spy plane which had strayed close to Danish airspace
 * Denmark's military said 'it's rare that we get such great pictures' as it published photos of the operation

A Russian military plane that strayed close to Denmark's airspace was intercepted by a special F-16 fighter jet that had been painted in the colours of the Danish flag.

The warplane was painted red and white to mark 800 years of the Danish flag, which was adopted in 1219.

The plane, numbered E-191, has already toured Denmark for commemorative air shows but on Monday it was one of the planes sent into action to confront the Russian aircraft.

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WNU Editor: This is what I call a publicity stunt.

RAF Typhoon Jets Scramble To Intercept Russian War Planes Near Estonian Airspace

These were the fifteenth and sixteenth QRA scrambles resulting in intercepts since the RAF took over enhanced Air Policing (eAP) from the German Air Force on 3 May 2019 as part of Baltic Air Policing (Pictured: two SU-27B 'Flanker' fighters intercepted yesterday)

Daily Mail: RAF Typhoon jets scramble to intercept five Russian planes from Putin's air force near Nato airspace over the Baltic states in just two days

* Typhoons at Amari Air Base, Estonia, were launched on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week
* The RAF fighter jets were sent to escort Russian military transport aircraft flying close to Estonian territory
* The operations are a routine part of NATO air policing around Estonia, according to the Royal Air Force
* It marks the 15th and 16th times RAF fighters at Amari have been launched since they took over the NATO air policing mission on May 3

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets have intercepted a fifth Russian military aircraft in the last two days.

Typhoon fighter jets operating from Ämari Air Base in Estonia were sent to escort Russian military transport aircraft from Putin's airforce away from Estonian territory, in what the RAF says is a routine part of NATO air policing operations.

Today the Typhoons intercepted a Russian Tupolev TU-134 'Crusty' transport aircraft flying close to Estonian airspace.

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WNU Editor: There is a lot of Russian military traffic in this region. The British air force is going to be busy.

NATO Says There Is Little Hope That A Key Nuclear Arms Treaty Can Be Saved

DW: Russia shows no 'sign' it's willing to comply with INF nuclear treaty, NATO says

There is little hope a key nuclear arms treaty can be saved, as Russia refuses to come back into compliance, says NATO's Jens Stoltenberg. He spoke after a NATO-Russia Council meeting on the INF arms control treaty.

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), a key Cold War-era deal between the Soviet Union and the US on limiting the use of ballistic and cruise missiles, is in serious jeopardy as Russia still refuses to comply, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday.

"We didn't see any sign of Russia being willing to come back into compliance with the INF treaty," he told reporters after a closed-door meeting of the NATO-Russia Council.

The "ongoing Russian violation" was the only reason the 1987 treaty was under threat, he added.

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Update #1: No breakthrough with Russia on INF treaty dispute: NATO's Stoltenberg (Reuters)
Update #2: Watch again: 'Time running out to save INF treaty,' says NATO secretary general (Euronews)

WNU Editor: The INF Treaty is definitely dead .... Russian President Vladimir Putin formally suspends country’s adherence to INF arms control treaty (SCMP/AFP). Get ready for the blow-back .... NATO Considers Missile Defense Upgrade, Risking Further Tensions With Russia (The New York Times).

Russian Su-24 Buzzing Spanish Carrier Juan Carlos I (Video)

Hat tip Alert 5.

NATO Preparing To Guarantee Free Passage Of Ships Via The Kerch Strait

TASS: NATO set to guarantee free passage of ships via Kerch Strait — US envoy

A package of measures will be approved during a two-day conference to begin in Washington on Wednesday

WASHINGTON, April 3. /TASS/. NATO is set to guarantee the safe passage of ships via the Kerch Strait, connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and to step up aerial surveillance in the area, US envoy to NATO told foreign journalists on Tuesday.

US Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, said that a package of measures will be approved during a two-day conference to begin in Washington on Wednesday.

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WNU Editor: Moscow has responded .... Kremlin dismisses NATO plans for Ukrainian ships’ passage through Kerch Strait (TASS). More here .... Russia opposes US plan for more NATO ships in Black Sea (AFP). To put it bluntly .... what Moscow is saying is that any NATO or Ukrainian ship passing through the Kerch Strait without authorization is a red line, and these ships will be confronted by Russian naval warships with force. So why the U.S. insistence to protect Ukrainian ships right now? Russian TV believes this is the reason why .... Provoking Russia or propping up Poroshenko? NATO ridiculed over plans to ‘shield’ Ukrainian ships (RT).

NATO Commanders Discussing A Response To 'A World With More Russian Missiles'

NBC: With no INF treaty, NATO is planning for more Russian missiles in Europe

Moscow is "deploying nuclear-capable missiles in Europe with very short warning times," the head of the alliance also warned.

BRUSSELS — NATO commanders are considering options in the “military domain” to counter Russia’s alleged violation of a nuclear weapons treaty, the head of the alliance said Tuesday.

During a wide-ranging interview with NBC News, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg previewed an aggressive approach to Moscow ahead of a NATO gathering in Brussels this week.

He also told NBC News that NATO has discussed the possibility of a troop drawdown in Afghanistan as part of a peace deal with the Taliban.

On Russia, Stoltenberg said that NATO's "first priority" is to save the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, which Washington is walking away from because it says Moscow has deployed a banned missile.

Read more ....

More News On NATO Discussing A Response To 'A World With More Russian Missiles'

NATO Defence Ministers meet to address Russia’s violation of the INF Treaty -- NATO
After Trump’s treaty withdrawal, NATO is getting ready for a Russia with a lot more missiles -- Military Times
NATO chief says allies keen to avoid arms race with Russia -- FOX News/AP
NATO to Respond if Russia Doesn't Fulfill Duties Under INF Treaty - Stoltenberg -- Sputnik
NATO Discussing Its Response To 'A World With More Russian Missiles' -- RFE
NATO Prepares for World Where Russia Deploys More Nuclear-capable Missiles in Europe, Secretary General Says -- Newsweek
Europe must avoid another East-West missile race -- Paul Taylor, Politico.eu
The end of an era? The INF Treaty, New START, and the future of strategic stability -- Frank A. Rose, Brookings

Atlantic Council: NATO Must Prepare To Counter A Rapid Russia Invasion In Eastern Europe

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Chez Carter, assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division ground guides a M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during a Table XII Live Fire Exercise, Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, August 23, 2018. This exercise is in support of Atlantic Resolve, an enduring training exercise between NATO and U.S. Forces. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jamar Marcel Pugh, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment/ 1st ABCT, 1st CD/Released)

Military Times: Think tank: NATO must prepare to counter a rapid Russia invasion in Europe

Russia is positioned to quickly defeat forward-deployed U.S. and NATO forces and grab land before reinforcements could arrive, according to a new paper from the Atlantic Council, an international affairs think tank.

In the Dec. 13 paper, “Permanent Deterrence: Enhancements to the U.S. Military Presence in North Central Europe,” former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove and former Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow propose “a carefully calibrated mix of permanent and rotational deployments in Poland and the wider region" to deter Russia and reinforce the alliance.

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WNU Editor: One of the authors of this report is former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove. I have posted over the years a number of articles on U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove .... and I have always viewed him as one of the most hawkish Generals to ever hold the post of NATO commander. President Obama was also concerned on what he was doing when NATO commander .... President Obama: 'Do Not Get Me Into A War' (July 29, 2016).

NATO And Finland Believe Russia Is Behind Recent Disruptions To GPS Systems During Recent NATO Exercises

US Marine Corps pilots fly a MV-22B Osprey during Exercise Trident Juncture near northern Norway, November 6, 2018. US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Cody J. Ohira

Daily Mail: Russia jammed GPS signals over Scandinavia during recent NATO exercises, Norway claim

* GPS disruption came during NATO's largest military exercise since the Cold War
* Scandinavian air traffic officers were forced to issue warnings due to disruption
* Kremlin denies the allegations as they face mounting criticism in the West
* A Russian plane flew over the Trident Juncture exercises close to a US battleship

The Russians are the likely culprits behind disruption to GPS systems over northern Scandinavia during recent NATO exercises, Norway's defence minister said on Tuesday.

Finland's air navigation services were forced to issue an air traffic warning last week due to the massive GPS interruption in the north of the country.

Norway made a similar warning last month, days before the start of Trident Juncture, NATO's largest military exercise since the Cold War involving 50,000 troops in an area stretching from the Baltic Sea to Iceland.

Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila said on Sunday it was 'possible that Russia has been the disrupting party in this. Russia is known to possess such capabilities.'

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WNU Editor: Finland is also making the same claim .... Finland says GPS signal disruption during NATO war games came from Russia (Reuters).

More News On NATO And Finland Believing Russia Is Behind Recent Disruptions To GPS Systems During Recent NATO Exercises

Another country is blaming Russia for jamming its GPS signals during a massive NATO military exercise -- AP
Russia jammed GPS during major NATO military exercise with US troops -- CNN
Russian military jammed GPS signals during NATO war games, Norway says -- FOX News
Russia ‘deliberately disrupted GPS signals during Nato drill’ -- The Independent
Russian forces blamed for jamming GPS during a large-scale NATO exercise -- ABC News Online

Russian Tu-142 Bombers 'Gate Crash' NATO's War Exercises Off Norway

NATO forces on the USS Moutn Whitnes watch a Russian Tupolev TU-142 fly past

RT: Russian Bear bomber gate crashes NATO’s largest drill since Cold War (PHOTOS)

A Russian Tu-142 bomber blindsided a US flagship taking part in NATO’s massive Trident Juncture 18 drills off Norway. Spectacular photos of the flyby have expectedly sparked a media uproar, while Moscow called the flight routine.

The plane appeared in the air at the very moment the marines on board the USS Mount Whitney, the flagship of the US Sixth Fleet, gathered on deck for a group photo. The flyby provided the American troops with a rare opportunity to check out the Tu-142, which NATO codenamed ‘Bear-F.’

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Update: Russia turns up uninvited to major NATO wargames (France 24)

WNU Editor: This is something that you do not see everyday.

Russia Announces It Will Hold Live Missile Drills Outside Norway During Massive NATO Drills

RT: Russia to hold live missile drills outside Norway amid massive NATO drills

Moscow is to hold missile drills in international waters outside Norway, where NATO is hosting massive war games of its own involving 50,000 troops, making it the largest exercise since the end of the Cold War era.

The Russian military will hold the live missile firing drills on November 1-3, amid the ongoing Trident Juncture 2018 NATO exercise. The war games kicked off last week and will go on until November 7, with over 50,000 personnel, some 10,000 vehicles, 250 aircraft and 65 ships participating.

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More News On Russia Announcing It Will Hold Live Missile Drills Outside Norway During Massive NATO Drills

Russia says it will do missile drills right next to NATO's biggest military exercise in years, but NATO's chief says everybody will behave -- AP
Putin orders missile tests in NATO training area as 50,000 Western troops carry out exercises in Norway -- AFP
Nato says Norway exercises will go ahead despite Russian missile tests off the coast -- Telegraph

U.S. Ambassador To NATO Has Warned Russia To Stop Developing A Banned Missile Or We'll 'Take It Out'

Kay Bailey Hutchison said: ‘We would then be looking at a capability to take out a missile that could his any of our countries in Europe and hit America in Alaska.’ Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters

The Guardian: US Nato envoy's threat to Russia: stop developing missile or we'll 'take it out'

* Kay Bailey Hutchison seems to raise prospect of strike
* Washington says cruise missile breaks 1987 INF treaty

The US ambassador to Nato has warned Russia that if it does not halt the development of a new cruise missile in violation of a treaty between the countries, the US will “take out” the missile.

Kay Bailey Hutchison was speaking to reporters about a longstanding issue of contention, a Russian ground-launched cruise missile which Washington says breaks the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).

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WNU editor: This is very dangerous talk.

More News On U.S. Ambassador To NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison Has Warned Russia To Stop Developing Banned Missile Or We'll 'Take It Out'

U.S. would destroy banned Russian warheads if necessary: NATO envoy -- Reuters
US NATO Envoy Warns Russia to Halt New Missile Development -- VOA/AP
U.S. Could 'Take Out' Controversial Russian Weapon If Necessary, Envoy Says -- RFE
US threatens to 'take out' Russian missiles if Moscow keeps violating nuclear treaty -- CNN
US NATO envoy warns Russia against developing new missiles -- The Hill
US ambassador to NATO threatens to 'take out' Russian cruise missile -- Washington Examiner
'They are on notice': Trump's NATO envoy warns Russia that U.S. could 'take out' new missile system -- Ottawa Citizen/AP/National Post
US Threatens to Destroy Russian Warheads if Necessary - Envoy to NATO -- Sputnik
‘We’d take out Russia’s nukes,’ US NATO envoy says, claiming ‘banned’ missiles are being developed -- RT

NATO's Reaction To Russia's Massive Vostok-2018 Military Exercise Is Mixed

Thousands of vehicles and weapons systems were staged for the main phase of the exercise. Russian Ministry Of Defense

DW: NATO views Vostok with both a shrug and a show of force

Russia is showcasing military might with its largest war games since the height of the Cold War. NATO is nonchalantly "monitoring" Moscow's activities but sending an unmistakable signal from the sky.

Last year the word Zapad was on everyone's lips, just as the Kremlin surely wanted with its drills practicing an invasion of the Baltic states from a stone's throw away. But Vostok 2018, despite being billed by Moscow as its largest exercises since the height of the Cold War, isn't setting NATO's pulse racing — nor prompting reinforcements to its eastern flank.

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WNU Editor: Here is a good analysis .... Vostok 2018: sending a powerful message to NATO and its partners (Jacqueline Westermann, The Strategist). As to what is my take .... NATO better pay attention, starting by increasing their defense budgets.

A Look At How NATO, Russian Planes Chase Each Other

RT: (Un)safe & (un)professional: How NATO, Russian planes chase each other (VIDEOS)

Regular air patrols and the overall confrontational reality lead to dozens of incidents in which NATO and Russian planes shadow each other. Western military leaders often accuse Russian pilots of acting unprofessionally.

In fact the current dominant narrative says NATO pilots always act in a safe and professional way while the bad Russkies are risk-takers and show-offs. The Russian defense ministry seems to be quite irritated with the accusations, going as far as questioning whether NATO aviators are fit for duty, considering the panic attacks apparently caused by their Russian counterparts’ flying.

Here are some of the latest examples of close encounters in international space.

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WNU Editor:  At least both sides are not shooting at each other.

NATO Commander Wants To Challenge Russia In Both The Baltic And Black Seas

The cruiser USS San Jacinto (near) sails side by side with the Russian destroyer Admiral Chebanenko (far)(Reddit)

Sydney J. Freedberg Jr., Breaking Defense: Outgunned Allies Must Contest Baltic, Black Seas: NATO Admiral

WASHINGTON: “When I was an ensign, a lieutenant, we knew we could beat the Russians. It was just a question of time because we were better than them,” NATO’s top admiral said. “I’m not sure we could make that assumption now.”

The European allies suffer many shortfalls at sea, said Vice Adm. Clive Johnstone, the Royal Navy officer heading NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM): anti-submarine warfare, missile defense, munitions stockpiles, sealift, cybersecurity, even the command and control capabilities of his own 300-strong headquarters.

So, I asked the admiral at an Atlantic Council event, would coastal waters within range of Russian land-based missiles — like the eastern Mediterranean near Syria, the northern Black Sea, and the entire Baltic — be no-go zones for NATO navies in event of war? Would any NATO vessel in those areas during a crisis be effectively held hostage by the Russians?

“No and no,” Johnstone said. “We are not ceding ground and we wouldn’t put people in as hostages.”

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WNU Editor: Challenging Russia in both the Baltic and Black Seas would be like the Russian Navy challenging the U.S. in the Gulf of Mexico .... you can make your presence felt and you can show the flag .... but you are in hostile waters and you are vastly outnumbered and outgunned.

NATO's Top General Warns That Russia Is 'Closing The Gap'

Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, NATO Supreme Allied Commander, speaks to members of U.S. European Command about his four command priorities at Patch Barracks, Germany, Sept. 20, 2017. MARTIN GREESON/U.S. ARMY

Stars and Stripes: Russia closing gap with NATO, top US general in Europe warns

STUTTGART Germany — NATO’s military edge over Russia could soon be threatened if allies fail to keep adapting, the alliance’s top general warned on Wednesday.

U.S. Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said Russia’s military modernization efforts are challenging allies in a range of areas such as cybersecurity.

“Because of the modernization they’ve made, while we are dominant, we will not be in five years ... if we are not adapting,” Scaparrotti said during a news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Scaparrotti, who also serves as head of U.S. European Command, said he and his Russian counterpart, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, have agreed to meet soon in an effort to improve communication and reduce the risks miscalculation. The meeting would be the first face-to-face encounter between the top NATO and Russian commanders since Moscow’s 2014 intervention in Ukraine.

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WNU Editor:  The U.S. and NATO spend 20x what Russia spends on defense .... Russia will not close the gap with NATO.

Update: I said 50x earlier .... it is actually around 20x