‘Vladimir Putin’s regime poses genuine threat to our way of life

A FLEET of jets heard thundering over Tyrone a few weeks ago were likely part of a NATO air defence exercise designed to deter Russian aggression, according to a local man who has volunteered in Ukraine for the last two years.

On February 23, the Tyrone Herald confirmed that the aircrafts belonged to the US Air Force.

However, Jonathan Baynard, a volunteer military archeologist and bomb disposal expert, believes the startling sound of engines above Omagh on February 21 was the product of Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest military exercise since the Cold War.

According to the intergovernmental military alliance, the operation ‘demonstrates the unbreakable bond between NATO Allies in Europe and North America, who have kept over one billion people safe for 75 years’.

The operation involves North American troops crossing the Atlantic, moving across Europe and exercising with fellow NATO forces.

Mr Baynard, whose on-the-ground work in Ukraine has focused his mind on the larger geopolitical developments surrounding the war, views NATO’s latest military exercise as just one of a larger composite of signs that suggests the West is taking the prospect of war with Russia increasingly seriously.

“People at home don’t seem to realise just how much potential there is for a war between East and West.

“However, thankfully, our governments do, and the evidence for that in everywhere: NATO performing their biggest military exercise in decades; Sweden following Finland and joining NATO after decades of neutrality; I mean, even the Irish Army have started advertising for people to join up, which I never remember seeing before,” reflected the 34-year-old.

FAILURE

The Omagh man said that he is worried there is a failure on the part of local people to appreciate what the future could look like if Ukraine is not fit to withstand Russia’s invasion.

“There is no evidence to suggest that Vladimir Putin has any intention of taking Ukraine and then stopping.

“If you listen to their state propaganda – which they spent almost two billion dollars on last year – they will tell you their intentions, and part of what they want to do is destroy the UK. They consider Britain one of their greatest enemies and a top target.

“Though they have not launched any physical attacks, they are constantly engaging in acts of cyber-warfare.”

However, despite being made anxious by the general public’s inability to perceive the extent of the Russian threat, Mr Baynard is happy to see a calcifying unity among European governments.

“Putin’s regime poses a genuine threat to our way of life, but a Europe united can stop him. We just need to stick together and hope that he (Putin) doesn’t do anything too rash.”

Over 90,000 troops from all 32 allies nations will be taking part in Steadfast Defender 24, which is due to run from January to May 2024.