Russian navy embarks on massive drills, unsettling NATO

Three fleets of the Russian Navy—Northern, Pacific, and Baltic, along with the Caspian Flotilla—have begun maneuvers involving approximately 300 ships and 20,000 sailors, Reuters reported on Tuesday. The report cited Interfax and TASS agencies, which quoted a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The statement added, "The purpose of the planned exercises is to test the operation of command authorities in the operational zones of the Northern, Pacific, and Baltic Fleets, as well as in the responsibility zone of the Caspian Flotilla."

It was reported that "the exercises involve around 300 surface and underwater ships, support units, up to 50 aircraft, over 200 special units, and more than 20,000 sailors and civilian personnel."

Reuters noted that since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has conducted a series of maneuvers, alone or with forces from other countries, including China and South Africa. Over the past two months, several exercises have been conducted using mobile nuclear missile launchers and joint exercises with the Belarusian armed forces.

In the last few days alone, three joint exercises have been conducted involving China and Russia's air force and navy. Alongside Russian Navy units, the Chinese missile destroyer Jiao Zuo took part in the maneuvers.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian and Chinese sailors jointly conducted live-fire exercises in a mined area. Subsequently, Russian and Chinese sailors conducted a joint search and rescue operation in the Baltic Sea.

The exercises took place near Finnish territorial waters, putting the NATO fleet on high alert.