the empire is determined to get its war;

While the West is fixated on Monday’s talks between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in the Baltic Sea is heating up and presents a risk of naval warfare between Russia and NATO. During May 2025, there have been a series of confrontations and escalating tensions between Russia and NATO member states in the Baltic Sea, characterized by naval incidents, airspace violations, and concerns over undersea infrastructure security.

Estonian Interception of Russian Tanker: On May 13, the Estonian Navy attempted to intercept the Gabonese-flagged oil tanker Jaguar, suspected of being part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” circumventing Western sanctions. The tanker ignored orders to stop, prompting Estonia to deploy patrol vessels and helicopters. In response, Russia scrambled a Su-35S fighter jet, which allegedly violated Estonian airspace. NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission responded with Portuguese F-16s conducting a reconnaissance flight. The Estonia’s and the F-16s retreated. Good decision.

Russian Seizure of a Greek Tanker (May 2025): Incident: Following the Jaguar incident, Russia reportedly seized a Greek-flagged tanker that had departed from the Port of Sillamäe in Estonia, but was in Russian territorial waters. Details are sparse, but this action was a retaliatory move on the part of Russia to the Jaguar incident and should be seen as part of broader strategy to assert control over maritime activities in the Baltic Sea...........more.......