10 Russian warships rehearsed battle for Kaliningrad region

On Tuesday, the Russian Navy carried out military exercises in the Baltic Sea, involving about 10 ships, according to a statement from the Baltic Fleet’s press service reported by Interfax, a Russian news agency.

 

The exercises come at a time of heightened tension in the region, where NATO has recently stepped up efforts to secure underwater infrastructure following a series of incidents that have raised concerns about potential sabotage.

The Russian operation involved a variety of vessels, including small missile ships, landing craft, small anti-submarine ships, minesweepers, and support vessels. Aircraft and helicopters from the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation also took part.

The scenario envisioned an enemy fleet attempting to launch missile and artillery strikes on Russian ships and coastal positions, followed by a troop landing aimed at seizing the shoreline and advancing into Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave bordered by NATO members Poland and Lithuania.

During the exercises, missile unit personnel practiced leaving their bases, moving combat vehicles to firing positions, and quickly deploying the Bal and Bastion systems to defend against the simulated threat. The Baltic Fleet emphasized that its missile units are on constant combat alert, tasked with safeguarding the approaches to Kaliningrad.

This region, separated from mainland Russia, relies heavily on the fleet for its defense and has long been a point of interest in the broader geopolitical dynamics of the Baltic Sea, where NATO and Russian interests often intersect.

The Bal system, meanwhile, is a highly mobile complex that can strike targets up to 75 miles away, day or night, in any weather. Its launchers can be positioned in concealed locations up to six miles inland from the coast, offering flexibility in deployment. These systems are key components of Russia’s coastal defense strategy, intended to deter naval threats and secure its maritime boundaries.

This wasn’t the first time the Baltic Fleet had conducted such drills. Back in mid-January, similar exercises took place along the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland coastlines, involving the same missile systems.

Those operations also targeted simulated enemy ships, with troops testing the systems’ functionality and practicing the loading and unloading of weapons. Over 100 personnel and 15 pieces of military equipment participated in those earlier drills, according to the fleet’s press service.

The timing of Tuesday’s exercises draws attention because they coincide with increased activity by NATO countries in the Baltic Sea. Since the fall of 2024, concerns have grown over attacks on underwater infrastructure, such as communication cables, which some Western officials suspect may involve Russian special services.

These incidents have prompted a response from Northern European nations, including the detention of tankers believed to be part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet—vessels used to transport oil in ways that evade international sanctions. The situation has fueled a sense of unease, with NATO launching an operation called Baltic Sentry on January 14 to protect critical underwater assets in the region.

They expressed worry over Russia’s shadow fleet, noting its potential to endanger maritime security and the environment while supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine through sanctions evasion. The leaders vowed to detect and counter any sabotage attempts, reserving the right to take action against suspect vessels under international law.

Adding to the NATO response, Finland announced in February that U.S. Marines would arrive in the country to collaborate with its coast guard. The plan includes using drones to monitor the Baltic Sea and enhancing surveillance capabilities in a region crisscrossed by vital underwater cables and pipelines.

These assets carry nearly all international data traffic and significant energy supplies, making them essential to the economies of Baltic nations. The deployment of American forces underscores the growing partnership between NATO allies as they seek to bolster security amid these disruptions.

The vessel is suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet. Earlier, in November 2024, two communication cables were severed in Swedish waters, with a Chinese bulk carrier, the Yi Peng 3, coming under scrutiny. Investigators have yet to determine if these acts were intentional, but the pattern has alarmed European leaders.

Russia has denied any involvement in these incidents. The Kremlin has consistently rejected accusations of sabotage, with its embassy in London calling NATO’s actions a buildup under a “fictitious pretext” of a Russian threat.

These denials have done little to ease concerns among NATO countries, which see the shadow fleet as a multifaceted problem, combining security risks with environmental hazards from aging, poorly maintained tankers.

The complexity of monitoring the Baltic Sea adds another layer to the challenge. With around 2,000 ships crossing its waters daily, tracking every vessel is a daunting task. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics acknowledged this difficulty in January, saying that while complete protection isn’t feasible, a strong signal from NATO could reduce such incidents.

The sea’s shallow seabed hosts dozens of cables and pipelines, making it a critical yet vulnerable area. Freedom of navigation rules under international law further limit what NATO ships can do, restricting their ability to intervene unless clear evidence of hostile intent emerges.

At the same time, NATO’s Baltic Sentry and the involvement of U.S. Marines indicate a shift toward more proactive measures, balancing deterrence with the need to avoid escalation. This delicate dance reflects the broader strategic competition in the region, where both sides are flexing their capabilities without crossing into direct confrontation.

As of March 11, 2025, the situation remains fluid. NATO’s Baltic Sentry operation continues, with frigates, patrol aircraft, and drones maintaining a presence. The U.S. Marines in Finland have begun their work, flying observation drones along the coast. On the Russian side, the Baltic Fleet’s latest exercises concluded successfully, according to their reports, reinforcing their stance in Kaliningrad.

Investigations into the cable incidents are ongoing, with Finnish, Swedish, and other authorities still piecing together evidence. No suspects have been formally charged, leaving open the question of whether these events were deliberate acts or unfortunate accidents. For now, the Baltic Sea remains a space of watchfulness, where military drills and security operations unfold against a backdrop of uncertainty.

Bulgarian Military