Russia Launches Major Military Exercise 'July Storm' in the Baltic Sea

From July 23 to July 27, Russia has initiated a significant military exercise dubbed 'July Storm,' which spans across various waters including the Baltic Sea, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and the Caspian Sea. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the commencement of this five-day maneuver through its official Telegram channel.

The exercise is set to involve over 150 warships and 120 aircraft, focusing on testing different operational capabilities within the naval forces. Objectives of the exercise include a variety of naval maneuvers, the execution of non-standard operational tasks, and the deployment of long-range precision weaponry.

Key components of the 'July Storm' exercise include:

• Submarine operations
• Execution of non-standard operational tasks
• Utilization of long-range precision weapons
• Testing of new weapon models
• Operations in combat zones at sea
• Defense of naval bases

Additionally, the readiness of naval units for unconventional operational assignments is a focus, alongside the examination of unmanned systems and military equipment designed for modern warfare. Crews will also practice defense maneuvers against air attacks, as well as conducting extensive submarine operations.

In total, the military exercise will see participation from:

• More than 150 warships and support vessels
• 120 aircraft
• 10 coastal missile systems
• Approximately 950 units of specialized equipment
• Over 15,000 military personnel

The situation in the Baltic Sea region has been increasingly tense, especially following incidents of espionage and suspected sabotage attributed to Russia. Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, numerous sightings of Russian naval vessels, including elements of the so-called 'shadow fleet' and military submarines, have been reported in the Baltic Sea.

Earlier in February, the German Federal Police escorted a Russian submarine near Rügen, which was navigating through internationally recognized shipping routes, confirming that no breaches of international maritime law occurred. Moreover, Russian military aircraft have also been intercepted in the airspace over the Baltic Sea. In early June, two Eurofighter jets from the German Air Force accompanied a Russian reconnaissance plane, the Ilyushin IL-20, which was operating without identification signals or radio contact in international airspace.