Baltic Fleet Deployments - Wk 24/2020
Summary
During Week 24, Russia held several military exercise as a show of force in response to NATO units conducting their BALTOPS2020 military exercise. These Russian exercises show a clear pattern. They gradually increased in severity as the week progressed. First, the Baltic Fleet pulled back all ships that were on sea conducting state and factory trails by June 8. This is probably an attempt to prevent NATO forces from learning too much about the newest military warships that will soon join the Russian Navy.
As for the military exercises themselves, the pattern we have witnessed shows that Russian forces went from defense to offensive as the week progressed. On June 8, Russian ground forces conducted air defense drills against a conventional airstrike. the next day, Russian warships at sea held their own air defense exercise by targeting targets dragged by Su-27 fighters. In this scenario, Russia expects first to be hit by a large airstrike on Kaliningrad, followed by an airstrike against units of the Baltic Fleet which are at sea.
On June 11 the exercises changed to the offensive with Russian aircraft striking an amphibious landing force in the Baltic Sea. NATO has a clear advantage in both numbers as technology in the maritime domain which it can translate to a higher degree of maritime mobility. Striking the amphibious landing ships will prevent NATO from either landing on the shores of Kaliningrad or transport men and equipment towards the Baltic States.
On June 12 the Russian coastal defense units targeted enemy warships as they started to blockade the Kaliningrad region. Russian warships played the part of the enemy task force and in doing so gained a better understanding of how a naval blockade can be enforced. The final part of the series of exercises this week was the simulated launch of Iskander tactical ballistic missiles against key infrastructure such as airfield and command posts.
The series of exercises we have thus witnessed showed a scenario under which Russia plans to defend Kaliningrad and strike back against an enemy force in the Baltic:
1. Defend Kaliningrad against airstrike.
2. Prevent the Baltic Fleet from begin damaged or destroyed by enemy airstrikes.
3. Destroy the maritime mobility of the enemy and prevent him from transporting troops and material through the Baltic Sea.
4. Neutralize enemy warships attempting to blockade the Kaliningrad Region in order to keep the own sea line of communication open.
5. Expand the conflict by striking airfield and command posts and prevent the enemy from mounting a coordinated assault or defense.
June 8
During Week 24, Russia held several military exercise as a show of force in response to NATO units conducting their BALTOPS2020 military exercise. These Russian exercises show a clear pattern. They gradually increased in severity as the week progressed. First, the Baltic Fleet pulled back all ships that were on sea conducting state and factory trails by June 8. This is probably an attempt to prevent NATO forces from learning too much about the newest military warships that will soon join the Russian Navy.
As for the military exercises themselves, the pattern we have witnessed shows that Russian forces went from defense to offensive as the week progressed. On June 8, Russian ground forces conducted air defense drills against a conventional airstrike. the next day, Russian warships at sea held their own air defense exercise by targeting targets dragged by Su-27 fighters. In this scenario, Russia expects first to be hit by a large airstrike on Kaliningrad, followed by an airstrike against units of the Baltic Fleet which are at sea.
On June 11 the exercises changed to the offensive with Russian aircraft striking an amphibious landing force in the Baltic Sea. NATO has a clear advantage in both numbers as technology in the maritime domain which it can translate to a higher degree of maritime mobility. Striking the amphibious landing ships will prevent NATO from either landing on the shores of Kaliningrad or transport men and equipment towards the Baltic States.
On June 12 the Russian coastal defense units targeted enemy warships as they started to blockade the Kaliningrad region. Russian warships played the part of the enemy task force and in doing so gained a better understanding of how a naval blockade can be enforced. The final part of the series of exercises this week was the simulated launch of Iskander tactical ballistic missiles against key infrastructure such as airfield and command posts.
The series of exercises we have thus witnessed showed a scenario under which Russia plans to defend Kaliningrad and strike back against an enemy force in the Baltic:
1. Defend Kaliningrad against airstrike.
2. Prevent the Baltic Fleet from begin damaged or destroyed by enemy airstrikes.
3. Destroy the maritime mobility of the enemy and prevent him from transporting troops and material through the Baltic Sea.
4. Neutralize enemy warships attempting to blockade the Kaliningrad Region in order to keep the own sea line of communication open.
5. Expand the conflict by striking airfield and command posts and prevent the enemy from mounting a coordinated assault or defense.
June 8
Russian forces in Kaliningrad held a large scale air defense exercise in response to NATO forces operating in the Baltic Sea as part of the BALTOPS 2020 exercise. Russian forces used S-400 and Panstir S1 air defense systems in order to repel a missile and air strike against military targets in Kaliningrad. Su-24 bombers, Su-27 fighters, Su-30SM fighter- bombers from the naval aviation regiment, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, simulated the enemy air strike which was detected, tracked and targeted by the air defense forces.
It is common practice for the Russian armed forces to stage large scale military drills in response to NATO exercises close to the Russian borders. In general, these exercises start with a defensive phase whereby Russia seeks to repel an enemy attack, followed by an immediate offensive action aimed to destroy or cripple the enemy formation that launched the attack. The BALTOPS 2020 training exercise will last until June 16 and Russia will most likely hold more training exercises both on land air and sea during this period.
A new military course on how to operate automatic grenade launcher systems and rocket propelled grenade launcher systems, will be available to the armed forces stationed in Kaliningrad. The first training session is centered on how to operate the AGS-17 and the RPG-7 weapon systems. Around 300 military personnel will take part in this course which will take up to a month to complete. Participants will first undergo a theoretical part which focuses on the technical specifications. A second part involves the actual training on several different training grounds.
The third section of the course will take about a week and involves a large scale test exercised in simulated combat conditions with the participants operating in camouflage, classifying targets, correcting fire, using observation and aiming devices, determining the distance to a target and firing at maximum possible ranges in both the dark and daylight hours.
Oceanographic research vessel RFS Admiral Vladimirsky has arrived at Kronstadt, thus completing a deployment around the world which started on December 3, 2019. The vessel was deployed in order to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica. The vessel entered the Baltic Sea on June 6 during the early morning.
Russian sources announced that the Gorskov class frigate RFS Kasatonov has completed her state trails and has returned to the Severnaya shipyard. As reported on June 6, the frigate will undergo a small maintenance before being handed over to the Russian Navy.
June 9
Russian forces continue to demonstrate their defensive capabilities in response to the NATO led exercise BALTOPS2020. About ten vessels of the Baltic Fleet went to sea today in order to hold an air defense exercise. Two corvettes, the Buyan-M class corvette RFS Serpukhov and the Nanuchka class corvette RFS Liven, held the exercise while other vessels patrolled the training ground in order to provide security. Both the Serpukhov and the Liven used their 76mm naval guns and 30mm close in weapon systems during the exercise. The targets were reported to be type M airborne targets, dragged by Su-27 fighter aircraft of the Baltic Fleet naval aviation.
Unexploded ammunition of the second World War continues to be a problem in the Kaliningrad region. Engineers defused today a 130-mm artillery shell on Staroorudinaya Street. Several 76mm artillery shells were also defused at the village of Nevskoye in the Guryevsky urban district. Once defused, the ammunition was brought to military training grounds and destroyed.
June 10
Around 50 soldiers stationed in Kaliningrad have started training to become a sniper. The training will allegedly take a month to complete and involves a theoretical part to learn about sniper rifles and specialized equipment. The practical part will be held on various training grounds in the Kaliningrad region. In summary, the participants will learn to disguise themselves, classify targets, adjust fire, master observation skills and aiming devices, determine the distance to a target and fire at maximum possible ranges in both the dark and daylight hours.
June 11
Russia made another response to the NATO exercise BALTOPS2020 by training an airstrike against a simulated task force composed of amphibious landing ships. Russia is therefor training to destroy a key component of NATO operational planning with regards to responding to a conflict situation in the Baltic Region. NATO is able to deploy more maritime assets in the Baltic Region then Russia and is thus able to use its maritime mobility to transport troops and equipment either directly to Kaliningrad or the Baltic States. It this make sense for Russia to train in damaging and destroying the amphibious landing ships and prevent NATO from outflanking Russian positions.
During this training exercise, a group of around ten Su-24 bombers and Su-30SM fighter aircraft were directed to the location where a simulated surface task force was located. Once the aircraft reached the target location they practiced conventional airstrikes against the surface group. A wing of Su-27 fighter aircraft provided cover for the attacking aircraft. [1] [2] [3]
Tvzvezda showed several videos of Russian aircraft conducting exercises over the Baltic Sea. Aside from reporting the air exercise mentioned above, the tv channel also shared videos of Russian aircraft shadowing the NATO surface task force and aircraft participating in the BALTOPS2020 exercise. [1]
June 12
Even though June 12 was Russia Day, units of the coastal defense forces were conducting a military exercise in the Kaliningrad Region. The units conducted a road march with the Bastion missile defense system towards a firing position. Once arrived, the unit trained in setting up the missile system in the shortest amount of time and be ready to launch against an enemy surface task force. The part of the surface task force was played by several warships of the Baltic Fleet in order to provide targeting data for the Bastion missile defense system. [1]
In order to make the exercise more realistic, the Baltic Fleet task force was instructed to simulate that it was disrupting the sea lines of communications towards Kaliningrad. This part is a clear reference towards NATO BALTOPS2020 exercise that is currently being held. NATO is capable to use its maritime superiority to blockade the Kaliningrad Region. Keeping the own sea lines of communication open is thus a vital element in defending Kaliningrad during a wartime situation as the enclave can only be resupplied by sea and air during such conditions.
June 14
Iskander tactical ballistic missile units stationed in Kaliningrad held a tactical exercise against a conventional enemy. Around 200 military personnel with 20 units of military equipment conducted a secret deployment towards their launching positions. Once in place the missile units conducted simulated the launch of single missiles as well as group launches. The targets were reported to be enemy missile systems, air fields and command posts. The Iskander ballistic missile is indeed created to target high value targets on the battlefield. The units stationed in Kaliningrad are capable to hit these targets in Poland, Lithuania, most of Latvia as well as parts of Estonia and Germany. [1]
The Iskander missile exercise is another show of force by Russia to remind NATO that Russia is able to contest NATO movements in the Baltic Region. NATO forces are currently holding the BALTOPS2020 exercise which is aimed to improve maritime movement by the alliance in the Baltic Region and train on how to respond when that movement is contested.
Russian sources announced that military training activities in the Kaliningrad region will increase as part of the summer training period. During the past two weeks, the armed forces in Kaliningrad already underwent 300 tests as part of their combat training. Around 50 test focused on driving and maintaining combat vehicles. [1]
June 9
Russian forces continue to demonstrate their defensive capabilities in response to the NATO led exercise BALTOPS2020. About ten vessels of the Baltic Fleet went to sea today in order to hold an air defense exercise. Two corvettes, the Buyan-M class corvette RFS Serpukhov and the Nanuchka class corvette RFS Liven, held the exercise while other vessels patrolled the training ground in order to provide security. Both the Serpukhov and the Liven used their 76mm naval guns and 30mm close in weapon systems during the exercise. The targets were reported to be type M airborne targets, dragged by Su-27 fighter aircraft of the Baltic Fleet naval aviation.
Unexploded ammunition of the second World War continues to be a problem in the Kaliningrad region. Engineers defused today a 130-mm artillery shell on Staroorudinaya Street. Several 76mm artillery shells were also defused at the village of Nevskoye in the Guryevsky urban district. Once defused, the ammunition was brought to military training grounds and destroyed.
June 10
Around 50 soldiers stationed in Kaliningrad have started training to become a sniper. The training will allegedly take a month to complete and involves a theoretical part to learn about sniper rifles and specialized equipment. The practical part will be held on various training grounds in the Kaliningrad region. In summary, the participants will learn to disguise themselves, classify targets, adjust fire, master observation skills and aiming devices, determine the distance to a target and fire at maximum possible ranges in both the dark and daylight hours.
June 11
Russia made another response to the NATO exercise BALTOPS2020 by training an airstrike against a simulated task force composed of amphibious landing ships. Russia is therefor training to destroy a key component of NATO operational planning with regards to responding to a conflict situation in the Baltic Region. NATO is able to deploy more maritime assets in the Baltic Region then Russia and is thus able to use its maritime mobility to transport troops and equipment either directly to Kaliningrad or the Baltic States. It this make sense for Russia to train in damaging and destroying the amphibious landing ships and prevent NATO from outflanking Russian positions.
During this training exercise, a group of around ten Su-24 bombers and Su-30SM fighter aircraft were directed to the location where a simulated surface task force was located. Once the aircraft reached the target location they practiced conventional airstrikes against the surface group. A wing of Su-27 fighter aircraft provided cover for the attacking aircraft. [1] [2] [3]
Tvzvezda showed several videos of Russian aircraft conducting exercises over the Baltic Sea. Aside from reporting the air exercise mentioned above, the tv channel also shared videos of Russian aircraft shadowing the NATO surface task force and aircraft participating in the BALTOPS2020 exercise. [1]
June 12
Even though June 12 was Russia Day, units of the coastal defense forces were conducting a military exercise in the Kaliningrad Region. The units conducted a road march with the Bastion missile defense system towards a firing position. Once arrived, the unit trained in setting up the missile system in the shortest amount of time and be ready to launch against an enemy surface task force. The part of the surface task force was played by several warships of the Baltic Fleet in order to provide targeting data for the Bastion missile defense system. [1]
In order to make the exercise more realistic, the Baltic Fleet task force was instructed to simulate that it was disrupting the sea lines of communications towards Kaliningrad. This part is a clear reference towards NATO BALTOPS2020 exercise that is currently being held. NATO is capable to use its maritime superiority to blockade the Kaliningrad Region. Keeping the own sea lines of communication open is thus a vital element in defending Kaliningrad during a wartime situation as the enclave can only be resupplied by sea and air during such conditions.
June 14
Iskander tactical ballistic missile units stationed in Kaliningrad held a tactical exercise against a conventional enemy. Around 200 military personnel with 20 units of military equipment conducted a secret deployment towards their launching positions. Once in place the missile units conducted simulated the launch of single missiles as well as group launches. The targets were reported to be enemy missile systems, air fields and command posts. The Iskander ballistic missile is indeed created to target high value targets on the battlefield. The units stationed in Kaliningrad are capable to hit these targets in Poland, Lithuania, most of Latvia as well as parts of Estonia and Germany. [1]
The Iskander missile exercise is another show of force by Russia to remind NATO that Russia is able to contest NATO movements in the Baltic Region. NATO forces are currently holding the BALTOPS2020 exercise which is aimed to improve maritime movement by the alliance in the Baltic Region and train on how to respond when that movement is contested.
Russian sources announced that military training activities in the Kaliningrad region will increase as part of the summer training period. During the past two weeks, the armed forces in Kaliningrad already underwent 300 tests as part of their combat training. Around 50 test focused on driving and maintaining combat vehicles. [1]
