According to journalists from The Telegraph, the United States and its NATO allies have begun practicing logistics preparations for a possible conflict in the Baltic Sea.

The authors believe the region could become the center of a global confrontation with Russia — a new «battle for the Baltic». During the Baltops alliance exercises, held from June 4 to 19, US Navy Seabees engineering units built boat ramps and logistics facilities along the coast, rehearsing the rapid deployment of bases.

The Telegraph cited US Lieutenant Cody Robertson as saying that the exercises are designed to practice the ability to arrive in a designated area, set up camp and use that hub as a point for projecting combat power.

The outlet noted that the Baltic Sea is bordered by eight NATO countries and Russia, and contains strategically important islands such as Sweden’s Gotland and Denmark’s Bornholm. According to the report, NATO command views these territories as potential footholds for deterrence and possible counterstrikes.

Kaliningrad Region, where Russia’s Baltic Fleet is based, lies on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.

The Telegraph also reported that after Finland and Sweden joined NATO in 2023–2024, collective defense of the Baltic region became a priority for the alliance.