Lyce · Hybrid Watch

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Russian naval drills in the Baltic Sea during NATO BALTOPS exercise.

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Russia conducted naval drills in the Baltic Sea during NATO’s BALTOPS exercise. Russian forces practised unguided missile launches, bombing runs, and simulated missile strikes. The drills involved around ten military aircraft, including fighter and bomber aircraft, as well as small missile ships. The activity took place in and around Kaliningrad, Russia’s heavily militarised exclave between Lithuania and Poland. NATO’s BALTOPS exercise had begun on 4 June and involved around 20 vessels, 15 countries, and about 6,000 personnel. The timing made the Russian drills a direct military signal during a major NATO exercise. Although this was not sabotage, it fits the “potential military threats” category because it used military activity to pressure NATO’s Baltic flank. The geography is important because Kaliningrad is one of the most militarised Russian positions bordering NATO territory.

Occurrence
Publication
First observed
Review status
Not assessed
Countries
Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland
Updated

Attribution

Official

Facts

No facts

Sources

  1. Role
    Discovery lead
    Publication

    Russia conducted naval drills in the Baltic Sea during NATO’s BALTOPS exercise. Russian forces practised unguided missile launches, bombing runs, and simulated missile strikes. The drills involved around ten military aircraft, including fighter and bomber aircraft, as well as small missile ships. The activity took place in and around Kaliningrad, Russia’s heavily militarised exclave between Lithuania and Poland. NATO’s BALTOPS exercise had begun on 4 June and involved around 20 vessels, 15 countries, and about 6,000 personnel. The timing made the Russian drills a direct military signal during a major NATO exercise. Although this was not sabotage, it fits the “potential military threats” category because it used military activity to pressure NATO’s Baltic flank. The geography is important because Kaliningrad is one of the most militarised Russian positions bordering NATO territory.