Key facts
- Russia's navy conducted military drills in the Baltic Sea from June 8-9.
Russia's navy conducted military drills in the Baltic Sea, including missile launches and bombing runs, from June 8-9. The exercises occurred concurrently with major U.S.-NATO BALTOPS naval war games in the region.
The concurrent naval exercises by Russia and NATO in the strategically sensitive Baltic Sea region highlight ongoing geopolitical tensions and demonstrate military readiness amidst broader security concerns in Eastern Europe.
Russia's navy conducted military drills in the Baltic Sea, including missile launches and bombing runs, from June 8-9. These exercises took place concurrently with major U.S.-NATO BALTOPS naval war games, which are the largest in the region this year and involve approximately 6,000 personnel and 20 vessels from 15 nations.
The Russian drills occurred in and near its Kaliningrad exclave, a heavily militarized territory situated between NATO members Lithuania and Poland. The exercises involved around 10 military aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers, and two small missile ships, according to Interfax news agency.
Earlier in May, President Vladimir Putin had stated that Russia possessed the necessary means to destroy any force attempting to attack Kaliningrad, following comments from Lithuania's foreign minister suggesting NATO should demonstrate its ability to penetrate the exclave.