Germany is preparing to host NATO’s largest-ever aerial war games in a show of force against Russia. The chief of staff of Germany’s Air Force, Ingo Gerhartz, said next week’s military exercises will include personnel from Sweden — which is seeking NATO membership — as well as members of Japan’s military.

Ingo Gerhartz: “There are 25 nations and 250 planes with almost 10,000 participants involved, which will mean roughly 2,000 flights over these 10 days. We are a defensive alliance, and so this exercise is defensive. We will not be flying any scenarios of an offensive nature.”