On Saturday, Western allies began a major naval drill in the Baltic Sea amid growing tensions with Russia over the battle in Ukraine.
The German navy said in a statement that about 3,200 troopers from 14 nations are participating in the German-led Northern Coasts 23 drill. The drill will include 30 ships, submarines, up to 19 aircraft, and different landing units, the statement added.
Other nations participating include Italy, France, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the United States.
It is the first time the German navy has been assigned with planning and running a maneuver of such magnitude, said Rear Admiral Stephan Haisch, director of the maneuver.
The Northern Coasts string was established by the German navy in 2007. Responsibility for the drill replacements annually between Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland.
According to the German navy, for the first time this year, a realistic scenario is being rehearsed within the framework of collaboration defense.
The drill will take place off the coasts and on the territory of Latvia and Estonia.
Incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have multiplied over the Black Sea and Baltic Sea during Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Russia said in May that it had thwarted four US strategic bombers above the Baltic Sea in two different incidents in the space of one week.
Moscow regularly carries out naval exercises in the Baltic Sea, usually in response to NATO drills in the area.
It last carried out exercises in the area in early August.
The Russian navy has played a significant role in Moscow’s attack on Ukraine by hitting the Western-backed nation with ship- and submarine-launched cruise missiles, among other weapons.
