The maneuvers come amid heightened concern over Russian hybrid activity, including suspected sabotage and disruption targeting critical infrastructure around the Baltic. Led by the US Navy, the exercise is intended to strengthen allied coordination, protect key maritime routes and demonstrate NATO’s readiness on its northeastern flank. This year’s drills are smaller than in 2025, with about 20 vessels and 6,000 personnel involved, but officials say the reduced scale reflects wider operational demands rather than a weakening of NATO’s commitment. The Baltic Sea has gained renewed strategic importance since Finland and Sweden joined the alliance, leaving Russia as the only non‑NATO coastal state in the region. For allies bordering the sea, BALTOPS is both a military training exercise and a political signal: NATO intends to keep the region secure despite Moscow’s pressure.
