Russian BDK "Alexander Shabalin" blocked the trade route near the coast of Germany (photo)

The presence of a Russian warship near the Fehmarn Belt shipping channel has caused alarm among the German and Danish militaries, as well as hampered the work of fishermen and research vessels. This was reported by Kieler Nachrichten. A Russian ship arrived in the area on October 19 and dropped anchor in such a way that it was in the path of merchant ships heading from the Baltic Sea to the North through the Fehmarn Belt.

From the side of the German island of Fehmarn, the amphibious assault ship is clearly visible visually, and its movement is monitored by the German patrol boat Bamberg and a Danish patrol vessel. Moreover, to strengthen control, the German Navy sent an auxiliary ship Werra from Kiel. The German police confirmed that the "Alexander Shabalin" is outside the country's territorial waters and does not violate international shipping regulations.

However, according to Kieler Nachrichten, the presence of Russian warships creates difficulties for civilian and scientific vessels. In addition to the VDC, the destroyer "Vmtse Admiral Kulakov" of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation, which arrived from Murmansk in May, was spotted in the area. Since then, he has appeared eight times near Fehmarn. According to the authors of the publication, its presence is connected with tankers of the "shadow fleet" and Russian military transports.

"Recently, we see that the Russian Navy is sending naval units to certain areas of the Baltic Sea and stationing them there. With the help of such a large ship, it simply demonstrates its presence near sea lanes that are also used by tankers," Johannes Peters, head of the Department of Maritime Strategy and Security at the Kiel University Institute for Security Policy, said in comments.