Russia launched extensive naval exercises in the Baltic Sea on Wednesday, involving dozens of warships and thousands of soldiers.
These drills, known as “Ocean Shield 2023,” are under the command of Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, the head of the Russian Navy.
The main objective of these drills is to assess the readiness of the Russian naval forces to protect their interests in the strategically important Baltic region.
The exercises include simulations to safeguard maritime routes, military transport, and coastal defense.
Over 30 warships and patrol boats, 20 support vessels, 30 naval aircraft, and around 6,000 troops are participating in the drills. The exercises consist of nearly 200 sub-combat exercises, incorporating practical weapon usage.
Western media has highlighted that NATO’s expansion, with Sweden’s recent accession to the alliance, is tightening NATO’s grip on the Baltic Sea, which Russia considers its backyard.
The approval of Sweden’s NATO membership by Turkey marks a strategic shift in a region that was once predominantly under Russian influence.
As tensions rise, these exercises demonstrate Russia’s determination to assert its naval capabilities in the Baltic Sea.
