Russian warships and aircraft have trailed and approached a group of multinational naval ships participating in an annual US-led exercise in the Baltic Sea, officials in charge of the drills told reporters on 8 June. The 49 ships from 17 NATO and partner countries departed Gdynia in Poland on 8 June for the under way portion of 'Baltic Operations' ('BALTOPS') 2015. Shortly after the vessels left port, a Russian ship shadowed the group during formation steaming, said Vice Admiral James Foggo Ⅲ, commander of US 6th Fleet and commander of Striking and Support Forces NATO, which is executing the exercise. He added that the 'BALTOPS' group later in the day was overflown by two Russian Su-24 jets that made two passes. That incident was followed by "a couple" of Russian corvettes coming up to flank the 'BALTOPS' formation while the ships conducted a 'photo exercise', he said.
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