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Practicing for emergencies near the Lithuanian-Belarusian border: More than 3,500 soldiers from Lithuania and eight other NATO countries are currently taking part in the "Iron Wolf" military maneuvers.
After the Russian attack on Ukraine, NATO decided to increase protection of its eastern flank – Belgian Piranha and Lithuanian Vilka units, among others, are now simulating battles together with German Leopard 2 tanks for two weeks.
In the future, Germany is to lead a combat troops brigade with 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers in Lithuania to reinforce the eastern flank, which is to be used in the event of a defense.
The German commander of the multinational combat force is satisfied with the course of the exercise so far:
Marco Maulbecker, Bundeswehr commander
"The exercise "Iron Wolf" shows that we are ready for battle. And with this willingness to fight, we are showing that we can deter - and if deterrence fails, we are ready to fight for the Lithuanians and with our NATO partners and to defend NATO's eastern flank. We are ready for that.«
In 2017, Germany sent its first soldiers to NATO member state Lithuania, near Russian territory, after Putin annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014.
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, it was agreed to significantly intensify the on-site mission in June.
The maneuver is expected to last until October 30th.