Ireland raises concerns with Russia over planned naval exercises

[DefiantMassRINO]

WTF is Russia trying to prove or provoke?  Pissing off the Irish is not a good strategy for Russia.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ireland-raises-concerns-with-russia-over-planned-naval-exercises-1.4783844

Military drills to take place in international waters off southwest coast next month

Ireland has raised concerns with Russia over controversial naval exercises planned for next month within the State’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Irish Aviation Authority has said it has been made aware that a Russian military drill will take place in international waters 240km off the southwest coast, amid concerns that the drill will include a so-called ‘live fire’ exercise. ...

... ‘Militarily weak’

Dr Berry, a former army ranger, said the live firing exercise, while being legal, is a “warning to Ireland that we are militarily weak”.

He believed it was designed as an international provocation as it is close to flight paths and underwater submarine cables.

Russia's intent goes well beyond the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

[DefiantMassRINO]

Russia is definitely planning to degrade America's and NATO's capability to respond to agression in Ukraine by threatening undersea communication cables, impeding flight paths, and impeding sea transport routes.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10434583/EU-set-unity-Russia-invasion-fears-mount.html

Putin stages naval drills off of IRELAND: Dublin condemns 'unwelcome' Russian operation planned for next month as fears grow over war in Europe and UK withdraws Kiev embassy staff


    - Russia will hold live-fire naval drills in February around 150 miles off the Irish coast, Dublin has revealed
    - Ireland says exercise, which is outside its territorial waters but within economic zone, is 'not welcome'
    - Drill forms part of wider Russian exercises in Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, North Sea and Sea of Okhotsk
    - Comes amid troop build-up near Ukraine that has sparked fears of a war in Europe and an East-West standoff
    - UK and US have today begun withdrawing embassy staff from Ukraine as fears of a Russian attack grow

Russia will hold live-fire naval drills off the coast of Ireland next month, Moscow has announced amid rapidly escalating tensions with the West.

Battleships will take part in sea drills around 150 miles off Ireland's southwest coast, within the country's 'exclusive economic zone' but outside its territorial waters.

Foreign Minister Simon Coveney revealed on Monday that Russia informed Ireland about the drills at the weekend, saying the warships are 'not welcome' but his country 'doesn't have the power to stop this from happening'. ...

[DefiantMassRINO]

The Russian naval presence in the Gulf of Oman is a threat to Western access to Persian Gulf oil when Russia proceeds to attack Ukraine.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202201181502

Russia Says Joint Naval Drills With Iran, China Planned
1/18/2022

The Russian Pacific Fleet says it will take part in joint naval war games with Iran and China in without announcing the exact date and location for the drills.

A detachment of warships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet ... will join the Iranian and Chinese fleets for the drills.

... The unit set out on a voyage from the southern port of Vladivostok in Far East Russia a few days before the 2022 New Year and anchored near Chabahar port on the Sea of Oman earlier in the week. ...