Latvia's military claimed Wednesday that a Russian submarine and naval ship were found lurking near its territorial waters, adding to a lengthy list of similar reported sightings recently in the Baltic region.
A Russian Kilo-class submarine and a hydrographic survey ship GS-66 were spotted in the Baltic Sea some five nautical miles (9.3 kilometers) from Latvian waters, Latvia's armed forces wrote Wednesday on its official Twitter page.
On Tuesday, Latvia's military said that air policing jets had identified a Russian military transportation aircraft, an Antonov An-22, flying near Latvian territory above the international waters of the Baltic Sea.
According to Latvian public broadcaster LSM, the country's military has recorded 51 instances in which Russian military units were found prowling near its territorial boundaries since the start of the year.
All three Baltic States — Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania — have repeatedly voiced concern over Russia's increased military activity in the region. The governments of the three states have been some of the most virulent critics of Russia's annexation of Crimea and its alleged role in fueling discord in eastern Ukraine.
Estonia launched the largest military exercise in its history earlier this month amid growing unease surrounding Russia's military activities near the country's eastern border.
Lithuanian authorities summoned last month the Russian ambassador to the country to complain about alleged Russian naval activity in its exclusive economic zone.
Lithuania's Foreign Ministry has interpreted Russian incursions into the country's exclusive economic zone as attempts to obstruct the construction of the NordBalt, an underwater power cable that will link Lithuania to Sweden.
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