Russia sends heavily armed warship close to NATO island as Baltic tensions soar
Russia has sent a heavily armed warship close to a NATO island in the Baltic Sea.
The ship is fortified with cruise and hypersonic missiles and has been deployed to a German island, according to reports from The Telegraph.
The frigate is equipped with nuclear-capable Zircon hypersonic missiles and was seen last week off the coast of the island of Fehmarn after the Kremlin threatened to attack British and EU vessels. Fehmarn is a popular tourist spot.
The ship, the Admiral Kasatonov, was built in 2020 and is reported to be one of the most advanced warships in Russia possession. It is capable of long-range strikes as well as anti-submarine warfare.
The movement in the warship in the Baltic, a vital shipping zone, marks the latest tensions between Russia and NATO.
This comes amid reports that Russia is building secret bases near its border with Ukraine to build hi-tech attack drones capable of striking deep inside NATO territory.
A recent US intelligence report has warned that Russia could launch an attack on NATO to test its resolve within weeks.
The attack could take the form of a small-scale attack on Poland or a Baltic state, The Telegraph reported.
Admiral Kasatonov is the second Russian warship to be seen in the Baltic in recent weeks. Destroyer Admiral Levchenko was deployed in late July.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that he was ready to retaliate against British and EU ships that tried to seize Russia-linked vessels.
Britain and France have seized commercial vessels suspected of transporting oil and other goods on behalf of Russia in recent months in what is believed to be a violation of international sanctions. The ships generally sail under obscure foreign flags and have been called the Russian shadow fleet.
"It’s nothing but piracy and robbery. If this is done, we will be forced to respond in kind ... [Russia can retaliate] in any area where we see it as necessary and appropriate," Mr Putin said.
Separately, Russia warned Britain on Monday, August 17, that it would pay a "price" after reports that the drones had been used in strikes deep inside Russia.
Russia’s embassy in London accused Britain of becoming "an accomplice and co-perpetrator" of the attacks and of "deliberately opting for an escalation" in the conflict.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence said in response: "Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion.
"Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this Government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies."
World Affairs Correspondent
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