NATO begins anti submarine exercises in opposition to Russian activity near the North Sea region

By Staff Writer

Updated: Nov 30 -0001, 00:00 AM LMT

With tension continuing to build around the northern region involving Russia and some of its neighboring countries, NATO has still chosen to continue with their anti submarine exercises in the area.

Sweden will also be participating in the anti submarine exercises for the first time after receiving an invitation from NATO. The "Dynamic Mongoose" exercise will include over a dozen different vessels originating from 11 different countries, according to Reuters. The exercise is one of the biggest ever conducted by NATO.

The exercise will involve identifying, detecting, and subsequently attacking designated submarines on behalf of NATO. The terrain made up of underwater canyons, fast-moving waters, and ample sound pollution helps make the North Sea one of the ideal locations for such an exercise, according to The Moscow Times.

Adding interest to the exercise for the international community is the building tension between Russia and the three Baltic states in close proximity to the North Sea. Tensions began to spike back when Russia took control of part of Ukraine last year, and has since remained high. The Baltic states in the neighboring areas fear possible actions similarly being taken upon them especially with each being home to a significant Russian population.

Also of note with regards to the exercise is the recent reports of unknown vessels loitering around the region. Finland recently reported an encounter with an unidentified submarine found near its coast, while Latvia reported an encounter with a Russian submarine near its water taking place a month ago, according to NDTV.

Russian aircrafts have also been seen crossing over into Nordic and Baltic airspace in recent weeks, also leading to corresponding actions from the allied forces. For their part, ministers of some Nordic countries have condemned the recent actions being taken by Russia, even going so far as to say that they are significant threats.

Russia responded by saying the growing ties between Finland, Sweden, and NATO are a "special concern."