Russia Carries Out Baltic Sea Naval Drills During NATO BALTOPS Exercises
Overview of Russian and NATO Military Activities in the Baltic Sea
Russian Naval Drills Amidst NATO Exercises
MOSCOW, June 9 (Reuters) - Russia's navy has conducted military drills in the Baltic Sea, practising unguided missile launches, bombing runs and missile strikes, it said, as major U.S.-NATO exercises also took place in the region, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday.
NATO BALTOPS Exercise Details
The NATO BALTOPS naval exercise, which began on June 4 and runs until June 20, are the biggest war games in the Baltic Sea this year, bringing together some 20 vessels from 15 nations with around 6,000 personnel.
Scope of Russian Drills
Russia carried out its own drills from June 8–9 in and near its Kaliningrad exclave, involving around 10 military aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers, as well as two small missile ships, according to Interfax.
Strategic Importance of Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad, located on the Baltic coast between NATO members Lithuania and Poland, has a population of around 1 million. It is heavily militarised and serves as the headquarters of Russia's Baltic Fleet.
Statements from Russian Leadership
President Vladimir Putin said in late May that Russia had all necessary means to destroy any force attempting to attack Kaliningrad after Lithuania's foreign minister said NATO should show Moscow it could penetrate the exclave.
(Reporting by Maxim RodionovEditing by Andrew Osborn)
