NATO forces began a two-week exercise in the Baltic Sea, with the first ship departing from the port of Rostock, northeast Germany on Thursday morning.
Among the ships departing from the Naval Base Rostock-Warnemünde are the German Corvette Magdeburg and the French Minesweeper Wolkarn.
The annual exercise led by the United States, known as Baltops, involves about 50 ships, more than 25 aircraft and 9,000 soldiers from 17 countries. It will run until June 20th.
The Baltic Sea is strategically considered important, especially in view of the ongoing war against Ukraine.
Russia is the only Baltic coastline of the nine countries, not a NATO member.
Moscow criticized the exercise, calling it a provocation. In recent days, the Russian fleet has also conducted exercises in the Baltic Sea.
Two German European fighters were contested late Thursday for Russian reconnaissance planes on the Baltic Sea.
The incident happened when the Alliance began naval exercises.
A spokesman said the Ilyushin IL-20 was flying in international airspace with no recognized signal or radio contact.
NATO reminded the Luftwaffe's Rapid Response Alert Unit at Rostock-Laage Air Force Base.
This marks the rise of tensions in the Baltic region this year due to recent espionage and alleged destructive driving forces.
Baltops has been in progress for more than 50 years, but this year is its first time starting with Rostock, home to the German Navy Command.
NATO said the exercise provides a unique opportunity to strengthen cooperation within the alliance while showing strong deterrence.
