Finnish environment agency: Russian warships intercept research vessel in international waters
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Finnish Environment Institute says that Russian military ships have twice recently intercepted one of its research vessels in international waters in the Baltic Sea.
The agency says that a Russian warship ordered the Aranda to change course east off the Swedish island of Gotland on Aug. 2 through radio contact. A month later it was approached by a Russian helicopter and a military vessel.
The institute said in a statement Saturday that in neither case did the Aranda change its course or speed and continued its research into marine samples in the area.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It said that Swedish meteorological researchers were on the vessel during the incidents with a Finnish crew that felt intimidated by the Russian interference.
No further information was immediately available.