Estonia launches large-scale exercises in the Baltic Sea

On Saturday, June 3, the largest exercise in the Baltic Sea this year, Baltops 23, began in Tallinn, Estonia, with 50 NATO warships participating.

This was reported by Yevropeiska Pravda concerning ERR.

In total, about 6,000 naval, land, and air force personnel are taking part in Baltops, which is being held for the 52nd time.

Over two weeks, the Allies will practice, among other things, anti-submarine and air defense, ammunition disposal, and medical rescue operations.

Estonia has been preparing for the exercise for about three years.

Estonian Navy Commander Jüri Saska said that such a large number of ships had never been in Tallinn before.

"In 2016, there were slightly fewer participants, i.e. only marines and their ships. But it has never happened before that all the ships started the exercise from Tallinn," Saska said.

The largest ship to arrive in Tallinn is the USS Mount Whitney, which belongs to the US 6th Fleet and is commanding the entire operation.

For the first time as a NATO member, Finland is participating in the exercise.

The exercise will end on June 16 in Germany.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 04/06/2023