Russia Holds Large-Scale Military Drills in Baltic Sea Amid Rising Tensions with Finland

Russia launched military exercises in the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, involving warships, 3,000 soldiers, and jets. This action follows Russia's criticism of similar Finnish military drills near their shared border. The Russian Ministry of Defense described the exercises as "planned." Footage shows various military assets, including warships maneuvering in formation and jets preparing for takeoff. The exercises include anti-submarine warfare training and drills against unmanned vessels. The timing of the exercises, amid heightened tensions with Finland, has raised concerns about regional stability. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accused NATO of using the Finnish naval exercises to escalate tensions. Finland has also recently accused Russian military aircraft of violating its airspace. The situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Baltic region.