Russia ramped up military drills across the country on Monday, amassing 45,000 troops, 41 warships, and 15 submarines for one of the largest shows of force since the Cold War.
The display, which was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed to dwarf "Joint Viking" drills involving 5,000 troops in neighboring Norway.
According to Reuters, both countries are vying for influence in the resource-rich Arctic Circle.
As a member of NATO, Norway has accused Russia of arming separatists in east Ukraine, where over 6,000 people have died in conflict since last year. Russia denies the claims.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu alluded to Norway's drills in a statement this week as he launched Russia's own exercise.
"New challenges and threats to military security require the armed forces to further boost their military capabilities. Special attention must be paid to newly created strategic formations in the north," he said.
NATO said that in 2014, Russia tripled its incursions into the sovereign territory of other nations, compared to 2013. Over 100 intercepts of Russian planes in NATO members' airspace were forced in 2014.
The week-long military drills will help Russia celebrate its annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.
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