Brit tanks join 9,000 Nato troops in dramatic show of force to ward off Putin in Estonia

BRITISH tank troops have joined with Nato forces in a show of strength to Russian president Vladimir Putin as they take part in a huge military exercise in Estonia.

Tanks and soldiers are carrying out live exercises with allied troops in the annual Spring Storm which involves more than 9,000 troops and carries on until May 17.

Along with the soldiers hundreds of combat vehicles, warships and aircraft are also taking part.

A statement from the Estonian Armed Forces said: “The Spring Storm exercise this year will be held in north-eastern Estonia.

“Nearly 10,000 troops will take part in them, including the military contingents of Great Britain and Belgium from the Nato international battalion stationed in Estonia and the soldiers of the Estonian Defence Forces.”

Eurofighters from the RAF and Germany will also take part along with Polish Su-22 attack aircraft and Wildcat, Apache and Pavehawk helicopters.

Personnel from Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Georgia, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the US, Ukraine, Finland, France and Estonia will take part.

The helicopters are stationed at the Emari airbase near the town of Tapa, which is just 93 miles from the border with Russia.

A Russian military expert has warned that increased military operations close to Russia’s border affects the West’s relationship with the country.

Viktor Murakhovsky, editor-in-chief of Arsenal of the Fatherland, said: “Despite the fact that the number of military men involved in these exercises is relatively low, manoeuvres create military tension on the borders of Russia.

“Moscow is forced to take this into account in its plans for the country’s defence.

“When tanks drive and planes fly near the borders of the Russian Federation, various kinds of incidents can occur.

“Even if they are unintentional, they can still be quite dangerous for the Russian side.”

Estonia’s President Kersti Kaljulaid paid a visit to the allied forces taking part earlier today saying the exercise was “proceeding like clockwork”.

The 49-year-old leader is not afraid to take part in some military training herself and completed a 30km load-carry challenge in March, finishing the task in four hours and 19 minutes while carrying a 15-kilogram rucksack.