Defense News:
WASHINGTON ― Russia began testing missiles with live munitions in the Baltic Sea on Wednesday, forcing countries to shut down airspace and alter sea traffic routes. Russia’s Baltic Fleet based in the Kalinigrad exclave is performing the exercise, which is taking place within Latvia’s exclusive economic zone as well as parts of the western Baltic Sea.
Latvia, a NATO member, and Sweden have issued warnings to civilian air and sea traffic, closing certain travel lanes until the end of the exercise.
“It is a demonstration of force,” Latvia’s Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis told Reuters. “It is hard to comprehend that it can happen so close to (our) country,” he said. According to Latvian officials, Russian drills have never taken place so close to its territory. However, Latvian officials acknowledged that Russia is not violating any international regulations and has a right to exercise.
