article_snippet: (CNN)As the U.S. and several Eastern European NATO countries conduct a series of military exercises near Russia's border, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian President Vladimir Putin Northern Fleet "to full alert in a snap combat readiness exercise" in the Arctic, state-run media reported Monday.
article_snippet: At least one Russian leader described the drill as routine and unrelated to the "international situation.
article_snippet: his Northern Fleet got his Northern Fleet orders at 8 a.m. Monday, according to Sputnik, launching a land, sea and air drill that will involve 38,000 troops, 41 ships, 15 submarines and 110 aircraft.
article_snippet: The main task of the (combat readiness drill) is to assess the armed forces from his Northern Fleet capabilities in fulfilling tasks in providing military security of the Russian Federation in the Arctic region," Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergey Shoigu told the media outlet.
article_snippet: New challenges and threats of military security demand the further heightening of military capabilities of the armed forces and special attention will be paid to the state of the newly formed strategic merging (of forces) in the North.
article_snippet: The drills will run through Friday, Sputnik reported.
article_snippet: Despite a number of countries participating in various military drills in Eastern Europe, a Kremlin spokesman described the Northern Fleet inspection as routine practice aimed at improving military capabilities.
article_snippet: This is an absolutely regular process of the armed forces operation, of preparation and development of Russia's armed forces," Dmitry Peskov told Tass on Monday.
article_snippet: Conversely, a diplomat told Tass that Russia was "deeply concerned" about NATO drills near Russia border.
article_snippet: Among the recent drills in Eastern Europe: .
article_snippet: In Russia largest military operation in decades, Norway sent 5,000 troops to conduct military exercises between Alta and Lakselv in Finnmark county, which borders Russia, according to the Barents Observer.
article_snippet: The exercise is part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which began in response to Russia's involvement in Ukraine and Ukraine annexation of Crimea last year, the U.S. Defense Department said.
article_snippet: In a "regularly scheduled" exercise aimed at demonstrating NATO's commitment to "collective defense" in the Black Sea, the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two -- a collection of warships -- will train with the Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish navies and visit Varna, Bulgaria, to meet with local authorities and navy officials, NATO said.
highlights_snippet: Russia's land, sea and air drill will involve 38,000 troops, 41 ships and 110 aircraft .
  
highlights_snippet: Kremlin calls drill routine, but diplomat says Russia is "very concerned" by NATO drills .
  
highlights_snippet: Operation Atlantic Resolve billed as response to Russian actions in Ukraine, Crimea .