The plans of the United States and NATO allies are to expand their presence in the Baltic and North Seas, where up to 15 ships are already on permanent combat duty, including the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with guided missile weapons, which is a direct threat to Russia. This was stated by the commander of the Baltic Fleet, Admiral Alexander Nosatov.
In an interview with the Russian Defense Ministry newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda published today, May 17, he stated that two groups of joint naval forces of NATO countries, numbering up to 15 warships and support vessels, are operating on a permanent basis in the North and Baltic Seas.
“In the Baltic and North Seas, the US Navy destroyers of the Arleigh Burke type, which are part of the European missile defense system, are on constant combat duty”, – he said.
Nosatov noted that more than 20 naval exercises are planned, including large-scale ones, during which the naval group of the North Atlantic Alliance can be increased to 30-40 ships.
“This year, NATO countries, together with Sweden and Finland, will hold the Northern Coasts-2021 exercise, in which a group of up to 30 ships and 40 aircraft will be involved”, – Nosatov emphasized.
As reported by EADaily, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously emphasized that “Russia’s concern is not so much the conduct of intelligence by the North Atlantic Alliance, but rather the bloc’s attempts to demonstrate strength”. This spring NATO began to strengthen the grouping of its troops in Poland and the Baltic countries. According to Shoigu, responding to the military activity of the alliance that threatens Russia, Moscow has taken appropriate measures.
More details: https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2021/05/17/nato-rasshirit-svoe-prisutstvie-v-baltiyskom-i-severnom-moryah-do-40-korabley