Russian Destroyer Appears Near German Waters

Reference News Network, May 14 report According to a report from the German news television channel website on May 11, a Russian warship has been anchored in the Baltic Sea near the German side since last weekend. The "Kiel News" reported that the destroyer named "Nordmorsk" is staying between Fehmarn Island and Lübeck Bay. The deployment of this ship is clearly intended to protect Russia's shadow fleet.

It is reported that the "Nordmorsk" destroyer set sail from Russia's Baltiysk port earlier last week. Since last weekend, the ship has been operating near Fehmarn Island. Prior to this, Russia's "Stavropol" missile boat had also appeared in the area.

In response, NATO has dispatched a fleet to the Baltic Sea. This fleet is led by the German frigate "Sachsen," which had just completed ammunition loading at the Kiel naval base a few days ago.

France has also strengthened its presence in the region. In addition to the frigate "Auvergne," Paris has sent a patrol boat and a reconnaissance ship to the Baltic Sea. The "Kiel News" reported that the "Auvergne" frigate is closely monitoring the actions of the "Nordmorsk."

Recently, Russia's naval operations between the English Channel and the Baltic Sea have significantly expanded. Observers believe this move is aimed at responding to Western sanctions against Russia's so-called shadow fleet. Previously, tankers and cargo ships suspected of having links to Russia in the Baltic Sea have faced multiple inspections or seizures.

The "Nordmorsk" destroyer belongs to the "Udaloy" class of destroyers and was commissioned at the end of 1987. The ship is 163 meters long and specializes in deep-sea anti-submarine warfare, belonging to the Russian Northern Fleet. Depending on the mission, the crew size ranges from 220 to 300 personnel. According to media reports, as early as the beginning of January, this ship had escorted two sanctioned cargo ships that appeared off the coast of Portugal. (Translation/ Wang Ziqiang)