Russian sub, ship spotted near Latvian waters

RIGA , Latvia, May 27 (UPI) -- Latvia said Wednesday two Russian vessels, a submarine and a naval ship, were observed near its territorial waters.

A Kilo-class submarine and a hydrographic survey ship were spotted, stationary in the Baltic Sea, about five miles from Latvian waters. It followed recognition of a Russian transport plane flying near Latvian territory Tuesday, and an assortment of near-violations by Russia military planes and vessels in the Baltic Sea in recent months.

Fifty-one examples of Russian military units near Latvian territory have been recorded since the start of the year, the Latvian broadcaster LSM noted. Neighboring countries Estonia and Lithuania have joined Latvia, each a NATO member, in voicing concern over Russian military activities in the area.

The submarine sighting came the same day Latvian Prime Minister Laimota Straujuma announced the country's Cabinet of Ministers agreed on a request for a permanent NATO base in the country. The three Baltic countries will seek a NATO deployment of several thousand troops each.

"We are seeking a brigade-size unit so that every Baltic nation would have a battalion," said Capt. Mindaugas Neimontas, spokesman for the Lithuanian military.