"An artificial attempt to continue NATO expansion to the east and any other direction, to continue moving military infrastructure closer towards the borders, including Russia's borders, is counterproductive and contradicts the obligations which NATO country members have taken upon themselves," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on a visit to Finland on Monday.

NATO war games involve10 member countries,  4,700 troops and 800 military vehicles. Russia sees NATO's military build-up as a sign of aggression.

The Saber Strike ground forces exercise is being conducted for the fourth time this year and coincides with Baltic Host 2014 and Baltops 2014 naval drills.

Troops from the US, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Norway and the UK are taking part.

The two-week exercise is hosted by the three Baltic States, although some parts will be conducted in Germany.

RA/NJF