Sweden says it encounters Russian submarines in the Baltic Sea on "almost weekly" basis
Swedish Navy chief of operations Marko Petkovic has said that they have been encountering Russian submarines in the Baltic Sea on an "almost weekly" basis.
Source: The Guardian, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Petkovic said that Moscow is "continuously reinforcing" its presence in the region and that monitoring Russian vessels has become routine for Sweden's fleet.
He said that it's "very common" and added that the number of sightings of submarines have risen in recent years.
Petkovic also said that Russia is expanding its capabilities and is producing one Kilo-class submarine a year in Saint Petersburg and the Kaliningrad exclave.
He said that Russia is pursuing a "deliberate and constant modernisation programme" of its fleet.
Quote: "Once a ceasefire or armistice is eventually in place in Ukraine, you can only assess, and we do assess that Russia will reinforce its capabilities in this region. So with that said, the [Swedish] Navy needs to continuously grow and focus on the overall picture."
More details: He also raised concern over Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers sailing under civilian flags and has not ruled out the possibility that such ships could be used to launch drones.
Quote: "The shadow fleet in itself is not a military problem, but the shadow fleet could affect our nations from a military perspective."
Background:
- Germany's defence minister Boris Pistorius has said earlier that Russia is stepping up hybrid attacks against European states to test their resilience, including in the Baltic Sea.
- In June, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that the Baltic Sea region is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot.
- Lithuania's President Gitanas Nausėda has said earlier that Russia is deliberately stoking tension in the Baltic Sea.
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