Ten Russian warships held a training exercise simulating combat in the Kaliningrad region

On Tuesday, the Russian Navy conducted military drills in the Baltic Sea, involving approximately 10 vessels, as reported by Interfax, a Russian news agency, citing the Baltic Fleet’s press service.

The exercises featured what the military referred to as “group electronic launches” of missiles from the Bal and Bastion coastal defense systems. The objective was to target a simulated enemy squadron comprising over 10 ships, with Russian forces claiming successful strikes on all specified targets.

These drills occur amid rising tensions in the region, where NATO has recently intensified efforts to protect underwater infrastructure following a series of incidents that have sparked concerns about possible sabotage.

The operation included a diverse array of vessels, such as small missile ships, landing crafts, anti-submarine ships, minesweepers, and support vessels. Additionally, aircraft and helicopters from the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation participated in the exercises.

The scenario depicted an enemy fleet attempting to execute missile and artillery strikes against Russian vessels and coastal positions, followed by a troop landing aimed at capturing the shoreline and advancing into Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave adjacent to NATO members Poland and Lithuania.

The press service clarified that the objective was to address a perceived threat and safeguard the maritime borders and coastlines of the Kaliningrad region, which holds strategic significance for Russia due to its location in the Baltic Sea.

During the drills, personnel from the missile units practiced departing from their bases, relocating combat vehicles to firing positions, and swiftly deploying the Bal and Bastion systems to counter the simulated threat. The Baltic Fleet highlighted that its missile units maintain a constant state of combat readiness, with the responsibility of protecting the approaches to Kaliningrad.

This region, which is geographically isolated from mainland Russia, depends significantly on the fleet for its defense and has historically been a focal point in the complex geopolitical landscape of the Baltic Sea, where NATO and Russian interests frequently converge.

The Bastion system, created by Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia and Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation, is engineered to defend coastlines extending over 370 miles. It is available in both mobile and stationary configurations and is equipped with the supersonic Onyx anti-ship missile, capable of carrying up to 36 cruise missiles in reserve.

Conversely, the Bal system is a highly mobile complex capable of striking targets up to 75 miles away, regardless of time or weather conditions. Its launchers can be discreetly positioned up to six miles inland from the coast, providing deployment flexibility. These systems are integral to Russia’s coastal defense strategy, aimed at deterring naval threats and securing its maritime boundaries.

This was not the first instance of the Baltic Fleet conducting such exercises. Similar drills were held in mid-January along the coastlines of the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, utilizing the same missile systems.

Recent military operations also focused on simulated enemy vessels, allowing troops to evaluate system performance and practice the loading and unloading of munitions. According to the fleet’s press service, over 100 personnel and 15 military assets were involved in these earlier exercises.

The frequency of these drills indicates Russia’s ongoing commitment to maintaining operational readiness in a region where it perceives potential security threats.

The timing of the exercises on Tuesday is particularly noteworthy, as they align with heightened activity from NATO nations in the Baltic Sea. Since the autumn of 2024, there has been growing concern regarding attacks on underwater infrastructure, such as communication cables, which some Western officials suspect may involve Russian special operations.

These developments have led to actions from Northern European countries, including the detention of tankers believed to be part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet—ships used to transport oil while circumventing international sanctions. This situation has heightened tensions, prompting NATO to initiate an operation named Baltic Sentry on January 14 to safeguard critical underwater assets in the area.

Baltic Sentry signifies a collaborative effort by NATO to confront these emerging threats. The operation includes ships, aircraft, and naval drones, with up to 10 vessels patrolling the Baltic Sea until at least April. In January, leaders from eight NATO countries bordering the Baltic—Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden—convened in Helsinki to address the increasing incidents and formulate their strategy.

They expressed concerns regarding Russia’s shadow fleet, highlighting its potential risks to maritime security and the environment, as well as its role in supporting Russia’s military actions in Ukraine through sanctions evasion. The leaders committed to detecting and countering any sabotage attempts, asserting their right to take action against suspicious vessels in accordance with international law.

In February, Finland announced that U.S. Marines would be deployed to the country to work alongside its coast guard, complementing NATO’s response. This initiative aims to utilize drones for monitoring the Baltic Sea and to enhance surveillance capabilities in a region that is critical due to its extensive network of underwater cables and pipelines.

These infrastructures are vital for nearly all international data traffic and significant energy supplies, playing a crucial role in the economies of the Baltic states. The arrival of American forces highlights the strengthening collaboration among NATO allies as they strive to improve security in light of recent disruptions.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Baltic Sea has emerged as a hotspot of tension. Various incidents have raised concerns about potential deliberate interference. Notably, in December 2024, Finnish authorities detained the Eagle S, a tanker registered in the Cook Islands, for allegedly damaging the Estlink 2 power cable and four telecommunications lines by dragging its anchor along the seabed.

This vessel is believed to be associated with Russia’s shadow fleet. Earlier, in November 2024, two communication cables were cut in Swedish waters, leading to scrutiny of the Chinese bulk carrier, the Yi Peng 3. While investigators are still determining whether these actions were intentional, the recurring incidents have raised alarms among European leaders.

Russia has denied any involvement in these occurrences, with the Kremlin consistently dismissing allegations of sabotage. Its embassy in London has characterized NATO’s actions as a military buildup based on a “fictitious pretext” of a Russian threat.

The proprietor of Eagle S, a firm located in the United Arab Emirates, has rejected allegations of sabotage as baseless, asserting that the cargo—Russian oil—was legally transported and that any damage occurred beyond Finnish territorial waters.

These assertions have not alleviated the apprehensions of NATO member states, which perceive the shadow fleet as a complex issue that intertwines security threats with environmental risks posed by aging and inadequately maintained tankers.

The intricacies of monitoring the Baltic Sea further complicate the situation. With approximately 2,000 vessels navigating its waters each day, tracking every ship presents a significant challenge. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics recognized this issue in January, stating that while total protection is unattainable, a decisive message from NATO could help mitigate such occurrences.

The shallow seabed of the sea is home to numerous cables and pipelines, rendering it a vital yet susceptible region. International law governing freedom of navigation imposes additional constraints on NATO vessels, limiting their capacity to act unless there is clear evidence of hostile intent.

Experts at BulgarianMilitary.com have observed that the Baltic Sea is increasingly becoming a testing ground for hybrid tactics—strategies that do not escalate to open conflict but aim to disrupt opponents. They argue that Russia’s military exercises, while officially defensive, also serve as a demonstration of strength, indicating its readiness to counter perceived encirclement by NATO forces.

Concurrently, NATO’s Baltic Sentry initiative and the participation of U.S. Marines signify a transition towards more proactive strategies, balancing deterrence with the necessity to prevent escalation. This careful maneuvering illustrates the broader strategic rivalry in the region, where both parties are showcasing their capabilities without engaging in direct confrontation.

As of March 11, 2025, the situation continues to evolve. NATO’s Baltic Sentry operation is actively underway, featuring frigates, patrol aircraft, and drones that are ensuring a sustained presence in the region. U.S. Marines stationed in Finland have commenced their activities, deploying observation drones along the coastline. Meanwhile, the Russian Baltic Fleet has reported the successful completion of its latest exercises, which further solidifies their position in Kaliningrad.

Ongoing investigations into the cable incidents involve Finnish, Swedish, and other authorities who are diligently gathering evidence. Currently, no suspects have been officially charged, leaving the possibility open as to whether these occurrences were intentional or mere accidents. At this moment, the Baltic Sea remains a zone of vigilance, characterized by military exercises and security operations amid an atmosphere of uncertainty.