Moscow, September 25 – The Russian Navy’s recent missile launch in the Baltic Sea during military exercises has sparked discussions among analysts and experts. Senior lecturer in naval science at the Finnish National Defense University, Anssi Munkki, described the missile launch as “not an ordinary occurrence.” The press service of the Baltic Fleet reported last week that the crew of the corvette “Stoiky” conducted a series of live-fire exercises using the ship’s naval missile system “Redut,” targeting surface and aerial targets. Over ten surface ships and support vessels from the Baltic Fleet ensured the safety of the area during the exercises.
Munkki commented on the significance of the missile launch, stating that while it is not unique, such exercises do not happen every year. He explained that missile launches are typically carried out for technical and training purposes. However, Chairman of the Parliament’s Defense Committee, Jukka Kopra, suggested that Russia could potentially use military exercises to exert pressure on Finland. According to Ilta-Sanomat, Kopra stated that if Russia desired, it could complicate the entry of ships into Finnish ports by conducting exercises in specific areas. In response, Munkki emphasized that restricting navigation during military exercises is a common practice worldwide. He expressed confidence that Russia’s intention is not to impede maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea.
The missile launch in the Baltic Sea has raised questions about Russia’s motives and intentions. However, Munkki believes that the current situation does not indicate any intention by Russia to disrupt maritime traffic. The full article can be found on the InoSmi website.
