Operation Steadfast Defender and UK-Russia Tensions

Operation Steadfast Defender 2024

Start: January 2024
Participants: 90,000 soldiers, hundreds of tanks, aircraft, ships, cyber, and space warfare branches
Nations Involved: All 31 NATO nations + partner Sweden
Duration: January to May 2024
Locations: Key strategic locations including Finland, Estonia, Poland, and Baltic states
Objective: Display of strength and unity

Backdrop: Putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022
Purpose: Response to escalating threats from Russia
Warnings: Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service warned of Russia preparing for a full-scale war
NATO Article 5: An attack on one NATO member is an attack on all
UK’s Role: One of the most proactive nations ramping up preparations

Historical Context
- 1994: Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Russia, first by a British monarch
- 2000: Election of Vladimir Putin, increased assertiveness in foreign policy
- Key Extraditions: Businessman Boris Berezovsky and Chechen leader Akhmed Zakayev

2006: Alexander Litvinenko Assassination
- Method: Poisoning via Polonium 210
- Outcome: Litvinenko’s death and massive public health risk
- Impact: Major deterioration in Anglo-Russian relations
2014: Crimea Annexation
- UK’s Reaction: Strong condemnation and imposition of sanctions
- Overall Impact: Continued strained relations and a series of retaliatory actions
2018: Sergei Skripal Poisoning
- Method: Nerve agent Novichok
- Outcome: Skripal and daughter survived, new wave of sanctions
- Additional Case: Amesbury poisoning from discarded Novichok

Sanctions on Russia: Comprehensive economic sanctions
Military Aid to Ukraine: $15 billion in varied military aid
Drills & Training: British troops training in NATO member countries near Russia

Economic Challenges: Economic downturn post-COVID and Brexit, impacting military investment
Equipment Shortages: Low number of operational tanks, ongoing upgrades to Challenger 3
Notable Incidents: Trident II D5 missile test failures