In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, more than 30,000 western troops will participate in one of Nato’s largest military exercises since the end of the Cold War. From Thursday, troops from 27 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, will practice defending Norway from the air, sea, and land for a month.

The drill is taking place all over Scandinavia, as well as in the Atlantic, North, and Norwegian seas. Finland and Sweden, which are not members of Nato but are under increasing public pressure to join the alliance, will also participate.

“When a neighbouring country to Nato is at war, of course it affects the whole European security architecture,” says Yngve Odlo, the Norwegian general in charge of the exercise, known as Cold Response, as cited by FT.

“But there is no increased threat to Norway and no change in Russian forces close to our border. It’s a long-planned exercise, and it’s quite clearly a defensive exercise.”

Since Russia took Crimea in 2014, Nato has increased its military drills, but the Norwegian training is the first since Moscow sent soldiers into all of Ukraine last month. The drill was aimed to evaluate how successfully Nato forces might integrate with local troops, according to Odlo. Norway has put the Arctic, or what it calls the High North, its top strategic priority.

“It’s to make sure that allied forces are able to operate in the High North, to show cohesion and that Nato is a reliable partner,” he adds.

Officials from Nato have expressed fear that Russia may try to destabilize other parts of Europe during its invasion of Ukraine in order to distract or divide the alliance, and the High North, along with the Baltic states, is considered as a potential target.

The exercise will take place in the Arctic towns of Narvik and Harstad, about 270 kilometers from Norway’s border with Russia, with the closest action taking place in the Arctic towns of Narvik and Harstad, about 270 kilometers away. Russia was alerted of the exercise in November and offered to participate, but Odlo said they declined, thanking him for the invitation.

“We are totally open about this exercise. As long as we’re transparent then it’s up to the Russians to come or not,” according to Odlo.

For several weeks, troops have been coming to Norway, including as part of the “Brilliant Jump” drill, which precedes and develops Cold Response. More troops will arrive in Norway on Thursday and over the next week as part of the Cold Response, while the maritime campaign will begin next week, followed by an air phase, and eventually land, including amphibious landings.

Cold Response will involve approximately 14,000 land forces, 8,000 naval forces, and 8,000 air forces. Norway and other Nordic countries have worked to maintain a low-tension zone in the Arctic. However, the United States is concerned about what Russia and China are doing. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the seven western members of the Arctic Council, the region’s principal cooperation group, cut ties with Moscow.

During the invasion of Crimea, the Arctic Council was the only international forum where Moscow and the West maintained friendly relations. Russia is developing the Arctic for two reasons: to exploit natural resources, such as shipping products across the country via the Northern Sea Route, and to protect it through military stations. Norway, according to Odlo, has handled much of Nato’s Arctic activity on its own during times of “low tension.”

But he further highlighted: “In a changed security environment, it’s important that Nato shows its presence in the High North, and that it has the relevant capability.”

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