Latvia accuses Russia of conducting military exercises to practice Baltic blockade strategy
During the “Ocean Shield” exercise, Russian soldiers are practicing the tactic of blocking sea routes to complicate NATO forces’ access to the Baltic Sea. That is the news published in LETA newspaper, citing the Latvian Ministry of Defense.
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| Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces are taking part in the annual Ocean Shield 2019 exercise in the Baltic Sea. Photo: TASS |
The exercise in question is taking place from August 1 to 9 in the Baltic, Norwegian and North Seas. In total, more than 10,500 servicemen, 49 warships, 20 support vessels and more than 50 military aircraft are involved.
Latvian military authorities noted an increase in Russian aircraft and ships involved in the exercises. For example, a day earlier, two Su-30 fighter jets were spotted near the Latvian border.
In addition, two Russian Tu-95 strategic missile carriers conducted flights over the neutral waters of the Bering Sea. In separate sections, US F-22 and F-18 fighter jets accompanied the Russian aircraft.
In August and September, the Russian Defense Ministry plans to hold another exercise called "Center-2019".
The servicemen will conduct various exercises along the Northern Sea Route in Russia’s Arctic region, testing new equipment designed specifically for military operations in the Arctic. Norway has expressed concern about the exercise.
