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Russia launches military exercises in the Baltic Sea

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Russia has started naval exercises in the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Aug. 2.

The exercises, named Ocean Shield 2023, involve over 30 ships and boats, 20 support vessels, 30 aircraft, and approximately 6,000 military personnel.

During the exercises, the Russian forces plan to test the coordination of various levels of command for force management and practice measures to protect maritime communications, troop and cargo transportation, and coastal defense.

The Russian forces are expected to carry out more than 200 combat drills, including practical weapon applications.

The Baltic Sea, located in Northern Europe, is surrounded by nine countries: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has repeatedly conducted military drills.

Earlier this year, on June 5, Russia initiated Baltic Sea drills, commencing one day after NATO. The Russian military announced that up to 40 ships and boats, 25 aircraft, and approximately 3,500 personnel would participate in the exercises.

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Sofiya Tryzub-Cook

Sofiya Tryzub-Cook is an intern at the Kyiv Independent. She is also currently a Regional Editor for Eastern Europe at the European Correspondent. Prior to this role, she worked as an interviewer for Room for Discussion, conducting interviews with various economists, politicians, and scholars. Sofiya holds a BSc in Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics from the University of Amsterdam.

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