More than 90 aircraft were involved in the Ramstein Flag 2025 exercises in northern Europe.
Ramstein Flag 2025 exercises are coming to an end in Europe. Although large-scale aviation maneuvers are declared defensive, nevertheless, offensive elements are being worked out during the exercises, in particular, the fight against the enemy's air defense system, that is, according to experts interviewed by Izvestia, they are directly aimed at confrontation with Russia. These are some of the largest maneuvers of the NATO air forces, involving more than 90 aircraft. However, according to military experts, such an air group does not pose a significant threat and, if necessary, will be stopped by the Russian air defense forces.
The objectives of the NATO Ramstein Flag 2025 exercise
On April 10, the NATO Air Force, as part of the maneuvers, practiced the possibilities of supporting ground forces in an emergency situation "during defense against an invading enemy in the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands." At the same time, the German agency DPA writes that we are talking about a "scenario of a Russian attack on the territory of the alliance."
Prior to that, NATO military personnel conducted maneuvers to repel air attacks and eliminate the air defense systems of a simulated enemy.
In total, 90 different aircraft, as well as helicopters and drones, were involved in the maneuvers. Of these, eight Eurofighter fighters were sent by Germany. They operate from 12 air bases with the support of more than 15 NATO countries.
"The key objectives of the exercises are to develop strategies to prevent enemy penetration, create an integrated air and missile defense system, apply flexible tactical solutions in combat conditions, and ensure unhindered information exchange between the allied states," a statement on the NATO website said.
The exercise is one of the largest events of the military air component conducted by NATO. At the same time, it is noted that the aircraft crews take into account their own experience, which has shown how vulnerable the aviation group is in a full-fledged conflict.
Ramstein Flag 2025 exercises began on March 31 and will end on April 11.
Russia's reaction to the NATO exercises
Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the buildup of NATO forces in Europe. The Kremlin noted that the Russian Federation does not threaten anyone, but it will not ignore actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests.
But NATO countries are not abandoning efforts to militarize Europe, continuing to nurture confrontational plans against Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
"The alliance still believes that our country is a long—term threat and will remain so even after the end of the Ukrainian conflict," Zakharova concluded.
Now Europe is trying to distract the population from internal problems by artificially creating an enemy from the outside, said former Deputy Foreign Minister, Deputy UN Secretary General Sergei Ordzhonikidze.
"Their internal problems are enormous: from the economy to the military sphere,— he said in an interview with Izvestia. — Moreover, everything will be on the rise, in connection with the latest actions of the Trump administration — the introduction of high duties. In addition, the NATO countries are militarily worthless without American support. With these teachings, they assert themselves and try to convince themselves that they mean something in this world. They also understand that an attack on Russia threatens the complete destruction of Europe, given our arsenals.
According to him, the Americans are going to limit their military presence in Europe, at least there are talks about it now. For this reason, the Europeans want to create something like a United European Force.
— It all looks ridiculous. Let them rattle their weapons, but they also need to understand that if they somehow offend our interests or, God forbid, there is some kind of attack on our ships in the North Sea, the response will be such that they are unlikely to be able to recover from it. And no fifth article of NATO will work, because it will be their aggression," Sergei Ordzhonikidze said.
How can Russia respond to such a threat
The tasks of breaking through air defense, and the development of such was voiced, cannot be called defensive — it is a training of attacking actions, experts interviewed by Izvestia are sure.
Honored test pilot, Hero of Russia Igor Malikov believes that a group of 90 aircraft is serious, but now the western regions of Russia are saturated with air defense, so shooting down an aircraft of any type or repelling an attack will not be an unsolvable problem for them.
"They are afraid of us in Europe, and we will repel their attack — there is no doubt about that," he said. — Moreover, I am sure that if one or two planes are shot down, they will turn around and go to their airfields to hide under the protection of their air defenses. It is clear that certain scenarios are being played out during the exercises. But their very message that we want to fight and we need to defend ourselves or even attack in one way or another is false. We don't need Europe for nothing — it's a small territory without resources.
Our entire air defense system was built and created taking into account the availability of such class aircraft in Europe as the F-35, F-18 Hornet, Eurofighter EF2000 and others, military expert Dmitry Kornev told Izvestia.
— Our Armed Forces have a zonal air defense system that provides air defense of territories, facilities, and zones — this is the S-400, and there is also the latest S-500 system. There is also the S-300 system. In recent versions, it is quite relevant and can fight aircraft, including the fifth generation, which includes the F-35. All of our western military districts are covered by these zonal air defense systems. In addition, the facilities themselves are closed by shorter-range complexes, for example, the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and cannon system. He has shown his high efficiency during a special military operation. Therefore, it is included in the air defense system of all major cities, facilities, military bases and other important facilities," he explained.
There are also warships equipped with anti-aircraft missile systems in the Baltic, as well as military air defense units of the Western Military District, represented by the Buk and Tor complexes, the expert recalled.
Bogdan Stepovoy
