British soldiers brave blistering cold with -12C
Russian plane has smoke rising from its wings
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
British soldiers are braving the cold winds with temperatures as low as -12C as they take part in NATO war games 80 miles away from Russia. The squaddies are flying in Chinook helicopters and charging round the snow-covered forest with tanks as they face the icy conditions of eastern Estonia.
A British tank driver told The Sun: “We can see that our Estonian counterparts are worried about what’s going on with Russia. But they feel we are here to help.”
Temperatures in Keskpolügoon, or the Central Training Area, are down to -5C, but a blisteringly cold wind means it feels like at least -9C.
The temperatures are expected to drop down to -12C in the coming days.
A French soldier working with NATO told the publication “it is warm!” while joking about the weather.
The camp is around an hour and a half drive from the Estonian capital Tallinn, through snow-covered fields dotted with farmhouses and Soviet-era apartment blocks.
Dense forests of fir trees provide perfect cover for camouflaged tanks and military vehicles.
On the vast military base, about the size of 15,000 football pitches, Brit troops along with other NATO forces, including the native Estonian army, have been building up for huge war games featuring heavy armour, helicopters, and rocket launchers.
According to the news report by The Sun, a large number of these soldiers have been in the tiny Baltic nation bordering Russia for the past five months.
They have been conducting training drills and improving their battle readiness.
Their hard work is likely to pay off as they soon will be taking part in NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup.
One British tank driver, a Lance Corporal in the King’s Royal Hussars tank regiment, said the exercises demonstrate the closeness of the NATO forces.
DON’T MISS:
Young fisherman drowned after going overboard [INSIGHT]
Mother ‘gutted’ as thief caught on CCTV stealing flowers [SPOTLIGHT]
Prince Harry didn’t lose his virginity outside a pub, claims Everett [REVEAL]
It’s also a crucial show of support for Estonia and the other former countries in the former Soviet Union, as Vladimir Putin’s bloody invasion of Ukraine approaches the one-year anniversary.
The soldier told The Sun: “We have a close bond as part of Nato now. Nato is one team, and the Estonians have got on board with that. They’ve opened their arms to us, and they’re learning from us. If anything was to happen in the future, we’d be ready for anything.”
One of his French counterparts, Julien, a lieutenant who commands a 30-person platoon, agreed.
He said: “It is important for the Estonians to see all of us from Nato here. It allows us to reassure them. To show them that Nato and the West are with them. They have a possible enemy nearby. They are aware they are in a risky situation.”
Source: Read Full Article