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The Russian guided missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov on the way to maneuvers
Photo: Russian Defense Ministry / imago images / ITAR-TASS
Amid tensions between Russia and the West, Norway reports Russian naval maneuvers.
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense reports on its website that five Russian warships have been spotted at the border.
However, the ships all crossed in international waters.
A frigate, a submarine hunter, a guided missile cruiser and two escort ships were discovered during a reconnaissance flight with a P3-C Orion on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the ministry, the ship movements were legal and a major maneuver had been announced.
Nonetheless, all movements along the maritime border would be monitored to ensure that no one encroached on Norwegian sovereign territory.
Norway is a NATO member.
Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border in recent weeks.
The West fears a Russian attack on the neighboring country.
Moscow, on the other hand, has denied any invasion plans and is demanding written assurances from NATO that it will refrain from further eastward expansion.
NATO is currently strengthening its military presence in Eastern Europe: The alliance only announced on Monday that a number of member states wanted to send additional combat aircraft and naval ships to the Baltic Sea and Eastern European countries such as Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria.
NATO said its allies are readying their troops and stepping up deterrence and defense measures "while Russia continues its military build-up in and around Ukraine."
For example, France had agreed to send troops to Romania under NATO command;
Spain wants to strengthen the alliance's naval units.
Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania.
The Netherlands also took part in monitoring NATO airspace with two F-35 fighter jets in Bulgaria from April.
The United States is also considering increasing its military presence in eastern alliance countries.
According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the federal government is counting on the continuation of diplomatic initiatives.
Germany, together with France, mediates, among other things, the Normandy meeting between Russia and Ukraine - today, Wednesday, both sides are meeting in Paris for the first time in years.
mrc/AFP
