NATO on alert; 10,000 soldiers, 17 ships, 20 aircraft, tanks are "running" through the Balkans... PHOTO/VIDEO

Nine NATO countries will perform maneuvers in Romania, Bulgaria and Greece from January 13 to February 26.

As announced, the goal of the maneuver is to demonstrate the ability of the Alliance to react quickly and to "defend in response to the actions of any potential adversary, including Russia."

"The new NATO response force will not only contribute to its defense in crisis situations, but will also strengthen the potential to contain our adversaries, including Russia. It will ensure the unification of the efforts of contingents across NATO in a shorter, previously unachievable time frame," it is stated in the press release of the British Ministry of Defence.

17 ships, more than 20 airplanes and helicopters, 1,500 units of military equipment, including tanks, multi-barrel missile systems, self-propelled artillery units, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers will take part in the exercises, the Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria specified.

According to experts, the scenario of the "Steadfast Dart" exercise is fully in line with the strategic concept of the Alliance, in which Russia is recognized as "the main security threat".