Estonian intelligence: the Russian Federation intends to control the Baltic Sea

The Kremlin is preparing for a confrontation with NATO countries in the Baltic Sea region.

The Russian Federation plans to significantly increase its military forces on the border with Estonia. The aggressor country is probably preparing for a potential war with NATO in the coming decade, Estonian intelligence said.

The number of personnel of the Russian troops in the Estonian direction may almost double, compared to 19,000 invaders at the beginning of 2022. The second priority region is the Finnish direction, where until recently — before Finland joined NATO — Russia’s military presence was minimal.

In the report of the Estonian special service, it was noted that “the course of the war in Ukraine largely determines the success and schedule of Russia’s military reform.” So if Moscow manages to reform, NATO could face a massive Soviet-style army in the next decade. However, this army will be technologically inferior to the defense forces of the allies in most areas.

Previously, USM wrote that due to the war in Ukraine, the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation can no longer conduct offensive operations.

However, the president of Latvia is considering closing the Baltic Sea to shipping in order to protect the critical infrastructure of the Baltic states.