Putin Deploys Deadly Frigates to the Baltic Sea
Russian warships armed with hypersonic missiles arrive at Europe's doorstep, with experts warning not to underestimate the threats.
Russian warships armed with hypersonic missiles arrive at Europe's doorstep, with experts warning not to underestimate the threats.
Russia has deployed its warships in the Baltic Sea, posing a potential threat to countries in the region. According to a report by Kurir.rs, the modern missile frigate Admiral Kasatonov, part of Russia's Northern Fleet, entered the Baltic Sea shortly after the destroyer Admiral Levchenko arrived there.
The frigate Admiral Kasatonov was commissioned in 2020 and belongs to the Admiral Gorshkov class. According to Russian sources, it can launch Kalibr cruise missiles and Tsirkon hypersonic missiles. The frigate was recently involved in escorting and safeguarding Russian cargo ships in the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel.
The destroyer Admiral Levchenko, which is over 160 meters long, belongs to the Soviet Udaloy class and has been in service since 1988. Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, it is equipped with air defense systems, torpedoes, and naval guns, and can also carry helicopters.
The deployment comes at a time when Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is threatening Europe with countermeasures in response to sanctions targeting Russia's "shadow fleet." Moscow has not issued an official statement regarding the reasons for this deployment, but Russia has increasingly used warships in recent months to escort tankers and cargo ships belonging to its "shadow fleet."
Just a few days ago, Putin threatened European countries that take measures against Russia's "shadow fleet" with reciprocal measures.
Maritime security expert Moric Brake warned that Putin's threats should not be dismissed as mere rhetoric.
"Strategically, Moscow is primarily trying to create uncertainty and increase the cost of Western measures against its shadow fleet. That is precisely why Europe must not give the impression that such threats will be tolerated, especially if they are accompanied by concrete actions," Brake told Bild.
As previously reported, European intelligence services believe that Russia could intensify hybrid attacks against the Baltic states and Poland, amid growing concerns that Moscow wants to further intimidate countries supporting Ukraine.
On the same day, NATO posted a video on its official profile about reconnaissance soldiers, showcasing their work far ahead of main forces in extreme conditions.
