CNN reports that “Russia unexpectedly flew military aircraft into the Baltic Sea region on both Saturday and Sunday, in an action closely monitored by U.S. and NATO intelligence, a U.S. official confirmed to CNN.”  

“About a dozen Russian aircraft including bombers, and refueling aircraft flew off Kaliningrad in the Baltic Sea on Saturday. NATO aircraft as well as aircraft from Sweden and Finland monitored the Russian flights, the official said.  

“Then on Sunday, the Russians again flew about a dozen aircraft including bombers and transport planes on the same route. The U.S. official noted there have been similar large flights in the past, but it’s not been seen in this manner over a two day period. The U.S. and NATO are still assessing what message Moscow may be trying to send, but overall ‘it’s a Putin show of force,’ the US official said.”