Experts told about the tracking of NATO troops' actions at the exercises in Estonia

Russia's armed forces are closely following the exercises of other countries near its borders, and the NATO Pikne ("Lightning") maneuvers in Estonia, which began on December 2, are no exception, military expert Viktor Litovkin told Izvestia.

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"We look at the actions that are practiced there, consider the options for the development of events - in general, we keep our ears open and draw conclusions. This helps us understand the plans and scenarios for their realization. We are ready for any surprises," said Viktor Litovkin.

According to him, the exercises in Estonia are largely an attempt to intimidate Russia.

"NATO has stopped hiding the goals of its alliance. In the mouth of the head of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, they declared that their alliance ceases to be defensive and will now prioritize offensive actions. This is not news to us, of course. No one has ever attacked them or even intended to do so. It was NATO countries that bombed Yugoslavia, conducted operations in Libya, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and even visited Somalia," the expert reminded.

At present, continued Litovkin, these countries are showing their nature in Estonia, from where they are already threatening Novgorod, Pskov and Leningrad regions. In addition, he said, another strategic goal for them is to block the Gulf of Finland by blocking the Russian fleet there.

"It is not for nothing that the Alliance ships came to Estonia the other day. Some of them will surely practice the maritime component of such actions as part of the exercises," Litovkin added.

Read more in Izvestia's exclusive piece:

Pikne on the sidelines: Russian military closely follows NATO exercises in Estonia