politics
Russia Conducted Shooting Training Near Norwegian Border - Monitored by the Norwegian Armed Forces
The Russian Northern Fleet conducted a live-fire exercise near Norwegian waters. Norwegian authorities closely monitored the activity.
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The Russian Northern Fleet conducted a live-fire artillery exercise just a few nautical miles from Norwegian territorial waters, and about five nautical miles from the point where the border between Norway and Russia meets the Varanger Fjord.
Russia issued warnings to both maritime and air traffic to stay clear of the area.
This was reported by the Barents Observer.
The shooting took place on February 17th and 18th. According to senior researcher Kristian Åtland at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment, the location is unlikely to be coincidental.
"It rather seems to be part of a broader pattern of strategic signaling aimed at demonstrating capability, testing reactions, and communicating specific messages to both Norway and NATO," he tells the Barents Observer.
The Norwegian Joint Headquarters informed the newspaper that they closely monitored the activity.
"The Armed Forces, together with our allies, monitor the situation in our vicinity and have a good overview of the activity through daily operational activities," said spokesperson Jonny Karlsen.
The exercise took place in an area that has previously been used for Russian shooting exercises, but the proximity to Norwegian waters means that the activity receives particular attention from Norwegian authorities.
