The alliance's troops have worked to protect the routes through which weapons are delivered to Ukraine, experts say.
During the Sea Shield exercises, which ended on April 11, NATO countries practiced the protection of the Danube Delta and trade communications in the north-west of the Black Sea. According to experts interviewed by Izvestia, weapons and dual-use goods are currently being delivered to Ukraine via these routes. About 2.3 thousand military personnel and 150 units of military equipment were involved in the maneuvers.
Why is NATO conducting exercises in Romania
The NATO naval exercises Sea Shield 25 ("Sea Shield") took place in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania, as well as in the island zone of the Danube River from March 31 to April 11. 1.8 thousand Romanian military personnel and 500 from 11 partner countries took part in them: Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Britain, the USA and Turkey.
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Image source: iz.ru
Romania has provided 28 sea and river vessels, two helicopters, a mobile missile system, a ship, nine aircraft and more than 30 vehicles. Other countries have sent four ships, three maritime patrol aircraft and 20 vehicles.
Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tylver said that the Sea Shield demonstrates the country's commitment to ensuring security and stability in the Black Sea region. Thus, the exercises included the protection of critical coastal infrastructure, the protection of sea routes and the support of amphibious operations.
— The leaders of the EU countries have got it into their heads that Russia will go to war with them. So, in the event of a military conflict, Turkey may close the straits for the passage of warships of Western countries, military expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia. — Then only the forces of Romania and Bulgaria will remain on the Black Sea. And their Navy, frankly, is ancient — they bought decommissioned ships. Apparently, they want to train their existing forces to ensure the safety of convoys and repel attacks — as part of the fight against the mythical Russian threat. It is necessary that representatives of all countries understand the commands. Thus, the main task of the exercises is for foreigners to master the area.
In addition, they will also work out the cover of ports important for the supply of weapons to Ukraine, the expert noted.
What threat do the exercises pose to Russia?
The Danube is a border river and a powerful waterway through which merchant ships move. These routes must be protected, in particular, from mines, military expert Viktor Litovkin told Izvestia.
"Exercises are about both learning and demonstrating what they can do,— he said. — During the maneuvers, NATO can practice amphibious landings on the shore, its reflection, and the fight against aerial targets and drones. There are American Aegis Ashore missile defense systems in Romania. Perhaps the exercise scenario also included the defense of this facility. Because you can load Tomahawks into its launchers, and they fly 2,000 km and can have nuclear warheads.
Photo: Eduard Vinatoru via REUTERS
Image source: iz.ru
According to the expert, these are quite serious exercises that took place near the special military operation zone, which also leaves a certain imprint on them.
For the West, these maneuvers are important because they are associated with the support of the Kiev regime, military expert Vasily Dandykin explained.
— Our Black Sea Fleet is objectively threatened by the coast, which is controlled by Ukraine: Ochakov, Odessa, Izmail. In addition, merchant ships sailing from Odessa pass along the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria," he said. — Romania is trying to show its role in NATO, especially in the maritime component. But Turkey still remains the dominant country in the Black Sea, it has a large fleet, which is also based in the Mediterranean Sea.
Photo: AP/Andreea Alexandru
Image source: iz.ru
According to the plan, the exercises are defensive in nature, but, most likely, offensive components are also present there, in particular to the Black Sea Fleet, the expert suggested.
Objectives of the NATO exercise in the North Sea
In parallel with the Sea Shield exercises in the North Sea, the Ramstein Flag 2025 exercises ended. This is one of the largest events of the military air component conducted by NATO.
Photo: REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw
Image source: iz.ru
During the maneuvers, the alliance's military personnel practiced the possibilities of supporting ground forces in an emergency "during defense against an invading enemy in the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands." They also conducted maneuvers to repel air attacks and eliminate the air defense systems of a simulated enemy.
In total, 90 different aircraft were involved, as well as helicopters and drones. Of these, eight Eurofighter fighters were sent by Germany.
Julia Leonova
