Russian Fleet to monitor NATO drills in Baltic Sea

Alanbatnews -

The Russian Baltic Fleet will monitor joint NATO naval drills in the Baltic Sea with ships and crafts of 18 countries, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"With the aim of promptly reacting to possible emergency situations in the Baltic Sea, the Russian Baltic Fleet will carry out a series of measures on monitoring the joint NATO naval drills 'Baltops-2019'," the defense ministry added in a statement.

The ministry noted that Russian Baltic Fleet's ships, aircraft and Bastion coastal missile defense systems are on combat duty in the assigned areas.

The NATO naval drills are held in the southern part of the Baltic Sea. Around 50 ships, 40 aircraft and 8.000 soldiers from 18 countries will take part in the military exercise.