The armed forces of NATO and Russia are preparing to hold parallel military exercises in the Baltic Sea, which raises concerns about incidents and provocations. This is reported by the German newspaper Bild, citing sources and expert assessments, BTA reports.
Next week, NATO will launch the annual naval exercise “Baltops“, which has been held in early June for more than half a century. At the same time, Russia is also organizing large-scale maneuvers in the region, this time a month earlier than usual. According to the information, about 20 Russian warships will participate in the exercises.
Experts warn that the coincidence of the two exercises significantly increases the risk of dangerous convergence between naval forces, which could lead to unintended incidents. Senior researcher at the CASSIS Center for Analysis and Security and a reserve officer in the German Navy, Moritz Brake, commented that while an open military clash seems unlikely, the threat of provocations remains real.
“Actions such as blocking the course of NATO ships or flights of Russian aircraft over them are entirely possible, which could lead to serious tension“, Brake warned.
The situation highlights the instability in the region and the need for clear communication channels between the two countries in order to avoid escalation.