NATO to hold major exercise to defend its eastern flank

NATO has announced an exercise involving tens of thousands of soldiers in order to work out the defence of its eastern flank.

"The response to a possible Russian invasion on the eastern flank is to be worked out as part of the Steadfast Defender exercise planned for 2024," said the head of the alliance's military committee Rob Bauer.

According to Interfax, he said about 40,000 NATO soldiers will take part in the exercise.

"This is one of the largest such events since the Cold War," the NATO representative emphasised.