The Russian navy has started scheduled drills in the Baltic Sea involving over 30 ships and boats along with 20 support vessels and 30 aircraft, Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday. Polish MOD has said it is "carefully monitoring the situation".
"From August 2, a naval exercise, Ocean Shield 2023, is running in the Baltic Sea under the command of Navy Commander-in-Chief Nikolay Yevmenov," the Russian defense ministry said in a statement.
"The exercise will check the preparedness of the naval forces for protecting national interests of the Russian Federation in an operationally important area and interoperability of headquarters at various levels in command and control of forces (troops)," the MOD added.
According to the statement, some 6,000 navy servicemen are involved in the exercise.
The end date of the drills has not been announced.
Polish MOD: we're carefully monitoring the situation
The Polish Press Agency (PAP) asked Poland's Ministry of National Defence for a comment regarding the Russian maneouvres. "We are carefully monitoring the situation at all times using all available resources on the Baltic Sea. Poland's Armed Forces are cooperating with NATO partners," the ministry replied.
The MOD also stressed that "all actions are decided and consulted with NATO allies".
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP, Reuters