Russia is sending a powerful message to the world – from the top of the planet.

A massive Russian polar exercise is underway – involving tens of thousands of combat troops, ships, submarines and aircraft.

It’s one of the Kremlin’s biggest shows of force since the end of the Cold War – bringing  the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet to full combat status.

U.S. Admiral Bill Gortney, the commander of NORAD, met with Defence Minister Jason Kenney – and Gortney says the message is clear – but what the Russians hope to accomplish beyond that – remains a mystery.

The polar event is being held just ahead of a large NATO Arctic exercise in Norway – and as preparations are being made to mark the first anniversary of the referendum which resulted in the annexation of Crimea by Russia.

NORAD has been dealing recently with an increase in Russian warplanes testing this continent’s airspace boundaries.