The Norwegian corvette Storm is currently monitoring three Russian warships from the Baltic Fleet as they sail off the country's west coast in international waters.

Russian ships are taking part in the ongoing strategic naval exercise Ocean-2024, which has seen a significant increase in both naval and air activity near Norway.

"The Russian Navy has now started the Ocean exercise. The exercise results in increased activity from both the Northern and Baltic Fleets in our immediate areas, in addition to long-haul aircraft. We were prepared for this and planned to monitor Russian movements together with our allies," said Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, head of the Norwegian Armed Forces' operational headquarters (JHQ).

The Ocean 2024 exercise comes after Russia canceled last year's planned Zapad 2023 exercises.

This year's operations involve various naval units, including those from the Northern and Baltic Fleets, with increased activity seen in the Barents Sea and other strategic locations.

In addition to Russian exercises in the Arctic, China's Ministry of Defense recently announced that Chinese naval and air units will conduct joint exercises with Russia in the Japan and Okhotsk seas later this month under the name "Northern United 2024".

Beijing also confirmed its participation in Russia's Ocean 2024 exercises, although no Chinese warships have been reported in the European part of the Russian Arctic.