Back off, Vlad! UK to stage mega-drills as TEN nations team up in defiance of Putin’s plot

Back off, Vlad! UK to stage mega-drills as TEN nations team up in defiance of Putin’s plot. A HUGE naval exercise involving ten nations will take place off the coast of Britain next month in a warning to Vladimir Putin. Exercise Strike Warrior will take place from May 8-20 with the Firth of Forth hosting some of the activities. In total 31 warships, 150 aircraft and three submarines will be involved. It comes just weeks after Mr Putin deployed thousands of troops to the Ukraine border, sparking fears of a potential Crimea-like invasion. The Royal Navy will be joined by counterparts from the US, Australia, France, Germany, Denmark, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway and Poland. The exercise will involve around 13,400 military personnel. Training will also take place on land involving 1,500 ground troops. According to The Scotsman the operation will involve counter mine operations around Loch Ewe and Campbeltown, live firing at Garvie Island and the Cape Wrath weapons range and small boat