Russia vs NATO: large-scale naval exercises in the Baltic sea
NATO's exercises in the Baltic Sea are denounced by Russia as a provocative act - NATO's naval exercises in the Baltic Sea decried by Russia as a provocative action
It's showtime in the Baltic Sea as NATO prepares for its two-week maritime exercise BALTOPS, while Russia slammed these moves as provocation. Alexander Grushko, Moscow's Deputy Foreign Minister, accused NATO of aiming for superiority in all areas, branding these drills as "extremely provocative."
Grushko's remarks came a day before the BALTOPS exercise launched this Thursday, marking its 54th edition and kick-off in Rostock. The event will gather around 50 ships, over 25 aircraft, and roughly 9,000 soldiers from 17 countries. The Baltic Sea, strategically vital amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine invasion, is the only NATO-unowned coastal state.
Meanwhile, Russia orchestrates its maneuvers involving more than 20 warships, gunboats, and various support ships. Over 3,000 soldiers, around 25 aircraft and helicopters, and up to 70 units of military and special equipment participate, according to Russian reports. Started on May 27, these exercises are geared towards testing the fleet's defensive capabilities.
Russia's concern evidently lies in NATO's "military activities," which Grushko considers part of preparations for potential confrontations with Russia. He asserted that the entire concept of the maneuver and the strategy behind the troop deployment indicate NATO views Russia as an enemy.
A strategic area offering access to the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, the Baltic Sea has become a hotbed for rivalries among nations. As nervous tensions rise and military drills intensify, both parties appear to be reinforcing their positions while stoking competition and anxiety.
Extra Reading:
- Understanding Russia's Military Mindset: Russia's military exercises serve a dual purpose: to demonstrate capabilities and secure strategic interests[2].
- Countering the West: With each escalation in NATO's military presence, Russia expands its naval presence in the Baltic Sea to counter balancing efforts[4].
- The Rising Tensions: heightened tensions and enhanced military readiness pave the way for both NATO and Russia to showcase their dominance in the region[1], potentially sparking unforeseen incidents.
[1] 'Russia-NATO Tensions Over Western Border', BBC News, 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56328183[2] 'Baltic Sea: Why is it Strategically Important?', Russian International Affairs Council, 2021, https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-studies/articles/26656/[3] 'Russia's Baltic Fleet to hold major drills', Russia Beyond, 2020, https://www.russia-beyond.com/news/russia-baltic-fleet-to-hold-massive-drills-506/[4] 'Russia turns up the heat in the Baltic', European Council on Foreign Relations, 2021, https://ecfr.eu/article/russia-turns-up-the-heat-in-the-baltic/[5] 'BALTOPS 22 Kicks Off', NATO, 2022, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_171074.htm.
- The deputy foreign minister of Moscow, Alexander Grushko, criticized NATO's BALTOPS naval exercise in the Baltic Sea, labeling it as extremely provocative, asserting that NATO's employment policies, which involve such military activities, are part of their preparations for potential confrontations with Russia.
- In response to NATO's heightened military presence in the Baltic Sea, a strategically vital area, Russia announced large-scale naval exercises, a move that corresponds with Russian politics towards countering the West in war-and-conflicts scenarios, as reported in general news articles.
