Because North Macedonia is preparing to join NATO, The US Army is actively preparing to interact with the local armed forces. Recently, the former Yugoslav republic began large-scale joint exercise "decisive blow".
According to the release of the US Army, soldiers from the battle group of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat 28 th Infantry Division participated in the two-month exercise in Krivolakskom military training center, North Macedonia.
During the maneuver troops urban combat practiced, long range shooting, special reconnaissance missions and medical evacuation.
The teachings included a few 24-hour operation, during which military units were trained how to assault skills, and served as support units.
According to the commander of US forces in Europe, US military forces and their allies "are in the highest peak of combat readiness for the past years".
Emphasis was placed on teamwork training work combat units of the US Army and Northern Macedonia and their joint action in mixed units. "Blow" – the largest multinational exercise, conducted by official Skopje.
anti-Russian program
Last year, the US State Department began a program to stimulate the European recapitalization. It should help the US European Command encourage such countries, as North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Greece and Slovakia, use US and allied military equipment in return for their stockpiles of Russian equipment, According to the publication Army Times Defense News.
The second objective of the project is to provide greater compatibility of equipment. These efforts are being made to, to force the Russian contractors to withdraw from NATO bases, to which they now have access, as involved in supporting obsolete equipment.
Under this program, Northern Macedonia received $ 30 million in 2017 fiscal year, According to Defense News. The International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, told the publication, that the money was used to purchase infantry fighting vehicles. Currently, the country used vehicles BMP-2 Soviet-made.
"Pernicious influence" of Russia in the Balkans worries US
In March, Army Gen. Curtis Skaparrotti, Supreme Commander of the Allied forces told Congress, he watches the growth of Russian influence in the Balkans.
I think, we look as if taken from this area. If we are not more active in the region, then we may have problems in the future there. I am concerned about the Balkans and the strengthening of the pernicious influence of Russia on the local country for the last year.
– I said then Skaparrotti.
In his speech, General zavyavil, that the Russian disinformation campaign and the support of marginalized, anti-government and anti-NATO groups in some of the Balkan countries "intensified" over the previous six to eight months.
Russian authorities tried to use a similar tactic in Montenegro in order, to dissuade the country to join NATO. Now they are trying to do the same in North Macedonia.
– He commented in March, his vision of the American general.
