Russia’s Baltic Sea drills this week were more than muscle-flexing—they were a live stress test for its anti-submarine sabotage defence. The exercise, which included FPV drone strikes on mock enemy boats and underwater sabotage drills, came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the repositioning of two American nuclear submarines closer to Russia. Coincidence? Unlikely.
The timing is a clear message: Russia is sharpening its response to perceived naval encroachment. The drills weren’t just about detecting and capturing underwater saboteurs—they were about demonstrating capability in real time. The use of FPV drones to take out unmanned boats adds a modern twist, showing how Russia is integrating cutting-edge tech into its anti-submarine tactics.
This isn’t an isolated move. Earlier this month, Russia and China teamed up in the Sea of Japan to hunt and destroy a simulated enemy submarine. The Baltic exercise, with Admiral Alexander Moiseyev inspecting the drills, reinforces the narrative of a coordinated, multi-front naval strategy.
The bigger question is how this escalates—or doesn’t. The U.S. has been vocal about its submarine deployments, and Russia’s response is equally visible. The Baltic Sea, a historically tense waterway, is now a stage for this naval chess match. Will other NATO allies ramp up their own exercises in response? Or will this remain a bilateral show of force?
One thing’s clear: the Baltic Sea is heating up as a flashpoint. The drills aren’t just about readiness—they’re about signalling intent. And in an era of great-power competition, every move sends a message.