 Russia issues warning over NATO war games. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has accused NATO of rehearsing for a military conflict with Moscow as the US lead bloc plans its largest joint exercise since the Cold War. These provocative exercises are clearly aggressive, the diplomat said, arguing that the maneuvers planned for in 2024 are an attempt at military political pressure. The scenario of the drill was formulated in such a way that it leaves no doubt that it is part of preparations for a military confrontation with Russia. Grushko said, it is yet another deliberate step towards destabilization of the situation in the north of Europe. He added that Moscow would do everything necessary to ensure the security of its borders. Grushko's statement came after NATO announced that next year's steadfast defender exercises would be the largest joint exercise the Alliance has conducted since the Cold War. The war games involving more than 40,000 troops will be held in Germany, Poland and the Baltic States. Admiral Rob Bauer, chair of the NATO military committee said, a new era of collective defense is upon us. Bauer told reporters in Oslo, Norway, according to the Financial Times, the drill revolves around a fight against a fictitious enemy modeled on a coalition led by Russia named Ocasus. For the first time, the exercise would use real world geography to create more realistic scenarios for the troops. Financial Times reported, General Erich Christopherson, Norway's chief of defense said that one of the elements of steadfast defender is an exercise dubbed Nordic response, the biggest ever to be held by the Nordic countries.