Russian Navy launches July Storm exercise
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Russia begins its July Storm naval drills under Admiral Moiseyev across the Northern, Pacific, Baltic fleets, and the Caspian Flotilla.
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Russian Navy corvettes Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov, right, and Rezkiy, dock at Tanjung Priok Port during a port visit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Russia's Navy has initiated the July Storm operational drills, engaging the Northern, Pacific, and Baltic fleets, along with the Caspian Flotilla.
"In the period between July 23 and 27, under the general guidance of the Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, the July Storm naval operative exercise will be held in the waters of the Pacific and the Artic oceans, the Baltic and the Caspian seas, involving the Northern, Pacific and Baltic fleets, as well as the Caspian Flotilla," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
The exercise will include more than 150 warships and support vessels, 120 aircraft, 10 coastal defense missile units, 950 pieces of military and specialized equipment, and over 15,000 troops.
This follows heightened tensions between Russia and NATO, following the alliance's military exercises in the Baltic Sea and plans of turning Moldova into a forward-operating base.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated on June 7 that Russia is attentively tracking NATO's military drills in the Baltic Sea while emphasizing that all required steps have been taken to neutralize potential threats from the alliance.
The deputy foreign minister emphasized that the Russian military is fully cognizant of NATO's strategic objectives in the region and stands ready to take decisive action, stating, "Our military understands everything, so we are ready to repel any threats, as all necessary measures have already been implemented."
Grushko delivered these remarks at the Forum of the Future 2050, while stressing Russia's continued alertness and readiness in response to growing NATO military deployments near its borders.
NATO plotting to turn Moldova into forward-operating base
More recently, on July 14, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) warned about NATO's purported plans to militarize Moldova and potentially transform it into a staging ground for hostile actions against Russia.
RIA Novosti reported that Brussels has allegedly decided to transform Moldova into a forward-operating base along NATO's eastern flank, capitalizing on the escalating regional instability resulting from Western intervention in Ukraine.
"According to the information received by the intelligence service, NATO is actively preparing to involve Moldova in a possible armed conflict with Russia," the SVR said, adding, "A decision has been taken in Brussels to transform this country into the alliance's frontline foothold on the eastern flank, taking into account Russian armed forces' advance in Ukraine."
