April 04, 2018 - 8:44 AM
MOSCOW - The Russian navy has launched drills in the Baltic Sea that have raised worries in NATO member Latvia.
The Russian Defence Ministry said the three-day exercises that started Wednesday will involve the firing of live ammunition at sea and air targets.
Shipborne helicopters will also conduct training flights and practice searching for enemy submarines. Three corvettes and a frigate are taking part.
Latvia's Defence Ministry has summoned Russia's military attache to demand details of the drills.
In a statement last week after learning of the plan, it said the manoeuvrs would disrupt sea transport civilian flights and that the exercises are "perceived as provocative and can be considered a display of power."
Relations between Russia and NATO have deteriorated in recent years over the conflict in Ukraine and other issues.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018