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Russia on Wednesday criticized a two-week NATO naval exercise in the Baltic Sea as “provocative,” one day before it was to begin.<\/p>\n
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko accused the Western alliance of preparing a confrontation with Russia with its annual BALTOPS exercise.<\/p>\n
“It’s about achieving superiority in all areas: on land, on the sea and in the air,” he said. “Of course exercises of this kind are extremely provocative,” Grushko told the Russian state news agency TASS.<\/p>\n
“We assess NATO’s military activities as part of preparations for military conflict with Russia,” Grushko said.<\/p>\n
The 54th edition of the BALTOPs exercises is being held in the eastern German port of Rostock, for the first time.<\/p>\n
Around 50 vessels, more than 25 aircraft and around 9,000 troops from 17 countries are participating in the US-led exercise that will run from Thursday to June 20.<\/p>\n
Russia is the sole country among the nine with a Baltic Sea coastline that is not a NATO member.<\/p>\n
Moscow is itself currently conducting an exercise in the region with more than 20 naval ships, gunboats and support vessels.<\/p>\n
“The exercises are being conducted to test the actions of the fleet forces in defending the bases,” the Russian navy said.<\/p>\n
According to state television, the exercise, which began on May 27, is continuing into this week.<\/p>\n
It involves corvettes, frigates, small missile ships, small submarines and minesweepers, around 25 aircraft, including helicopters, around 3,000 troops and up to 70 specialist units.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n