Russian submarines were spotted near the borders of Latvia
The National Armed Forces of Latvia reported that two Russian Navy submarines were spotted in the republic’s economic zone about 10 km from the state border.
"On April 16, two Russian Kilo-class submarines were discovered at a distance of 5.5 nautical miles from the Latvian border in its exclusive economic zone," the National Armed Forces of Latvia reported via Twitter.
In addition, at the distance of 20 nautical miles from the territorial waters a Kashtan-class submarine support vessel was observed.
Russian fleet and aviation activity has increased significantly due to the deterioration of relations between Russia and the Western coalition as a result of a growing conflict in Ukraine. Over the past years the governments of the Baltic countries, Denmark and the United Kingdom have repeatedly announced the approach of Russian planes to their airspace. The activity of the Russian Navy in the Baltic Sea has also increased significantly.
While NATO member countries view these incidents as alarming indicators of readiness to use force, Russia calls the their bomber flights "routine patrols."