Putin stages major war games on NATO’s doorstep as submarine fires torpedoes at mock Western ship and Russia vows to conduct ‘dozens’ more naval drills this summer

Vladimir Putin has been staging major war games on NATO’s doorstep, sending a chilling threat to the West.

Footage shows the dictator’s warships practising military drills in the Baltic Sea – a major area of contention between NATO and Russia.

The ships trained to counter marine drones and unmanned planes during the first of ‘dozens’ of drills promised by the dictator’s navy this summer.

In one exercise, a diesel submarine fired torpedoes at a mock Western ship and, in another, 30-mm AK-630 automatic rifles were used against ‘floating mines’.

The current display of power involves 20 warships and support vessels, 25 aircraft and helicopters, and 3,000 service personnel. 

The war games involve Russia’s Baltic and North fleets with support from Aerospace Forces from Moscow and Leningrad military districts and 70 units of ‘military and special equipment’.

A key aim of the Putin drills is to train for ‘defence of naval bases’ in a sea where Russia and NATO compete for sway, according to the Baltic Fleet.

Russia has access to the Baltic via Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions – but no less than eight NATO states front the sea.

Vladimir Putin has been staging major war games on NATO’s doorstep, signaling a chilling threat to the West

Footage shows the dictator’s warships doing military drills in the Baltic Sea – a major area of contention between NATO and Russia

The ships trained to counter marine drones and unmanned planes during the first of ‘dozens’ of drills promised by the dictator’s navy this summer

In a direct warning to the West, the fleet’s military council said its forces ‘will participate in more that several dozen exercises on various tracks in the summer period’.

A statement said: ‘The efforts of the Baltic Fleet will be focused on securing the naval interests of the Russian Federation in the Baltic sea zone.’

The sea is the focus of increasing tension between the West and Putin’s burgeoning military machine.

Estonia this month attempted to seize a Russian-bound oil tanker suspected of circumventing Western sanctions.

In retaliation, Russia detained a Greek-owned oil tanker that had recently left an Estonian port, escalating maritime tensions in the region.

Finland and Estonia have reported recent airspace violations by Putin’s warplanes and Polish fighters intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber performing ‘dangerous’ manoeuvres in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

Last month RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland to intercept Russian military aircraft, including an Ilyushin Il-20M surveillance plane and two Su-30MKI fighters, approaching NATO airspace.

A key aim of the Putin drills is to train for ‘defence of naval bases’ in a sea where Russia and NATO compete for sway, according to the Baltic Fleet

In Russia’s latest strikes on civilians, a girl, nine, was killed in Zaporizhzhia region, while a 16 year old was wounded. Pictured: A building reduced to rubble following the strikes in the Zaporizhzhia region today

Last month RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland to intercept Russian military aircraft, including an Ilyushin Il-20M surveillance plane and two Su-30MKI fighters, approaching NATO airspace. Pictured: Russian Ilyusin Il-20

There is also acute concern among NATO members over the security of undersea internet and communications cables, with the alliance launching Operation Baltic Sentry in January to enhance surveillance and protection.

But Russia suffered a setback in Ukraine – with its newest powerful Dan-N jet drone destroyed by a missile system developed Ukrainian military intelligence.

Footage shows the moment of destruction in the Odesa direction by a mobile anti-aircraft missile system equipped with R-73 missiles.

Separately, Ukraine also conducted a sabotage operation more than 6,200 miles from its territory in Desantnaya Bay, Vladivostok, triggering explosions at the 155th Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy.

Ukraine accused the bridge of mass war crimes, notably executions, including beheadings, torture in locations which as Bucha and Irpin.

Two explosions of military equipment near Vladivostok led to a massive military and ‘anti-terrorist’ operation on Friday.

Helicopters were scrambled over Desantnaya Bay near Vladivostok, with a major operation by the FSB secret service, military officers, anti-terrorism specialists, ambulances and police.

In the wake of the explosions two trucks removed ‘large objects covered with tarpaulin’ under military guard.

Russia has not informed its residents about the Ukrainian operation on its Pacific coast, instead telling people gas cylinders exploded in a car, an explanation widely mocked on social media.

In Russia’s latest strikes on civilians, a girl, nine, was killed in Zaporizhzhia region, while a 16 year old was wounded.

‘These are the consequences of the enemy attack on the frontline village of the Pologovsky district,’ said Ukrainian official Ivan Fedorov.

‘The Russians hit residential buildings with [aerial bombs].

‘One house was destroyed.’

A 66-year-old mangas killed in Russian shelling of Kherson overnight.

In Rylsk, Kursk region, Ukraine reportedly hit a hotel where Russian military personnel were billeted.

Some 16 people were reported to have been wounded.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk