War with Russia looming; Marines deployed to this country PHOTO

Temperatures in the area drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius as troops jump through holes in the ice and roll in the snow.

The army camp, opened in 2023 in Skjold in northern Norway, could accommodate 1,500 marines by this spring, and up to 2,000 next year, effectively doubling the British presence in the region.

The exercises reflect NATO missions in the event of the activation of Article 5 on collective defense, and the commander of the British Commando Forces, Brigadier Jamie Norman, emphasizes that the troops operate in a “continuum between war and peace.”

These activities are part of a broader NATO strategy, including the “Arctic Guardian” mission, which aims to counter Russian threats in the region.

The foreign ministers of Norway and the United Kingdom emphasize that Arctic security is also linked to transatlantic security, as Russia’s Northern Fleet and nuclear capabilities in Murmansk pose a direct threat.

At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump is raising concerns with plans regarding Greenland, complicating the regional strategy and highlighting the need to balance bilateral interests with NATO’s multilateral commitments.

Despite political tensions, British and European officials emphasize that NATO is “stronger than ever,” while the exercises at Camp Viking are considered crucial for preparing troops for potential conflicts in the Arctic and beyond.