NATO is launching exercises in the international waters of the Balkans, with warships and troops of several member countries also “visiting” Bulgaria until September 22. It comes as a new submarine enters service in the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Starting Friday, naval exercises will take place in the southeast of Constanta, off the territorial waters of Romania. Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 – which includes the US, the UK, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey, as well as the naval forces of Bulgaria, Romania, and Canada – is taking part in the drills.