DISINFO: Cold Response 2022 is NATO's step to provoke WWIII
SUMMARY
Cold Response 2022 is NATO's next step towards escalation. NATO's "cold" show of force in Norway and the adjacent sea area is addressed exclusively to Russia. They reflect the intention of the "partners" to test the strength of the Russian North, to divert the Russian Armed Forces from the Ukrainian theatre of operations, to work out elements of a naval blockade of the Russian coast, that is, to provoke the start of Third World War.
No one in the world claims the territory or natural wealth of Norway. It is not clear for what purpose the prosperous kingdom provides its territory for the "game" of war with Russia. NATO manoeuvres increase military tension in the Arctic, increase the risk of military miscalculations, incidents and escalation. An armed provocation against Russia in the Arctic practically dooms Norway to destruction.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO and its military exercises. The article not only misinforms the audience but contains direct threats against NATO and Norway.
The claim is also voiced as part of a Kremlin attempt to mobilise domestic Russian support for its war in Ukriane by deliberately playing on the scare factor of NATO in the eyes of the Russian audiences.
Russia considers any military exercises of neighbouring countries as a threat. Every nation has the right to conduct exercises, but it is important that they are conducted transparently and in line with international obligations. To promote transparency, members of the OSCE, including Russia, commit to following the provisions of the Vienna Document.
NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states. The primary aim of the alliance is to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO’s official policy is that "the Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia." The Alliance also follows strict procedures and emphasises transparency during military training exercises, which are announced months in advance and are subject to international scrutiny.
Cold Response 2022 is a multinational cold weather field training exercise, focusing on increasing interoperability and the ability to fight, survive and win in an Arctic environment. It is a long-planned and regular exercise, which Norway hosts biannually. According to the Vienna Document provisions for transparency of military exercises, the OSCE memebers, including Russia were initially notified of the exercise in November 2020, and the again on the 12th of November 2021. It was also announced publically, over eight months ago. It is not linked to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, which NATO is responding to with preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory measures.