Soldiers from nine NATO countries cross Poland’s longest river. The exercise is part of a large-scale exercise to deter Russia. Why does overcoming water play a role?
One heavy military vehicle after another approaches the river bank, folds out the side floats and drives into the water. It takes just under ten minutes, then four of these amphibious bridge and transfer vehicles, called “Amphibie M3” by the Bundeswehr, are connected to form a ferry. They cross the river quickly and bring battle tanks, personnel carriers and jeeps to the other bank of the Vistula.
NATO is practicing for emergencies on Poland’s longest river. The “Dragon 24” exercise takes place around a hundred kilometers south of Gdańsk in Korzeniowo. The Vistula here is 320 meters wide. German-British, French and Polish engineer units put heavy equipment over the water in three places. A total of 20,000 soldiers from nine NATO countries are taking part in the exercise, including 15,000 from Poland. The Bundeswehr is there with 1,300 men and women.
“Both the Baltic States and Poland are crossed by large bodies of water. And in a possible scenario, the bridges are of course a worthwhile target for a potential enemy – they are destroyed relatively quickly,” says Lieutenant Colonel André Burdich from the German-British Pioneer Bridge Battalion 130. Then you need The soldiers use the amphibious vehicles and pontoon bridges to transfer combat equipment as quickly as possible and to bring reinforcements and reserves forward.
NATO exercise sends a message
The exercise on the Vistula is part of a major maneuver that NATO is holding to deter Russia on its eastern flank. The Steadfast Defender exercise, which lasts around four months, extends from Norway to countries such as Romania. The defense alliance has mobilized around 90,000 soldiers for this purpose. “We show what capabilities we have and we combine that with the determination to use them,” says German NATO General Gunnar Brügner.
In addition to the training effect, a main goal of the large-scale maneuver is deterrence. Brügner puts it this way: “Every ship that sails, every plane that flies, every helicopter in the air, every tank that rolls sends a message. And that is necessary.”
There are increasing warnings that in a few years Russia could be ready to test NATO’s commitment to alliances. Since the move by French President Emmanuel Macron, who does not want to rule out the use of ground troops in Ukraine, the debate about the alliance’s warworthiness has gained further momentum.
People in Poland are worried
Poland is one of Ukraine’s most committed supporters and has also taken in almost a million war refugees from its eastern neighbor. It also serves as a logistical hub for Western military aid. The EU and NATO member is one of the countries that feel particularly threatened by Russia because of their situation. Many Poles fear that one day they could face a fate similar to that of the people of Ukraine, who have now been confronted with a Russian war of aggression for more than two years. The message of the Dragon 24 exercise is clear, says NATO General Brügner: “We are ready to defend Poland.”
Poland has recently invested heavily in modern weapons systems and spends around four percent of its gross domestic product on defense. Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats against the West must be taken “dead seriously.”
In an interview with the right-wing US moderator Tucker Carlson at the beginning of February, Putin said that a Russian invasion of the NATO states Poland and Latvia was “absolutely impossible” – with one exception. Asked whether he could imagine a scenario in which he would send Russian troops to Poland, Putin replied: “Only in one case: if Poland attacks Russia.” Russia has no territorial interests in Poland or Latvia, he assured. But he said the same thing before his attack on Ukraine in February 2022.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
