Baltic Fleet Deployments - Wk 25/2020
Summary
Week 25 saw a significant decrease in military activity in the Baltic Region. This was due in part to the end of the NATO exercise BALTOPS2020 which ended on June 16. Russian warships shadowing the NATO exercise were reported to be back in port by June 18. Russian media provided further information about the type of exercise the Baltic Fleet conducted in parallel with the NATO exercise. No specific information was provided about the composition of the naval task forces involved in each exercise but it became clear that the Baltic Fleet was more active then previously reported during week 24. It shows that the Russian armed forces still have tight control about the flow of information regarding their naval exercises and only communicate the information they feel like sharing.
More details were available with regards to the naval aviation units of the Baltic Fleet. Su-27 aircraft were active at the beginning of the week in intercepting NATO aircraft operating in the Baltic Region. Helicopter units, both those assigned to the navy and ground forces, were involved in two large exercise held on June 15 and 19. According to Russian sources, this exercise demanded the use of the entire logistic and maintenance units of the helicopter regiment to support these exercise.
Ground forces in Kaliningrad were involved in standard training exercises centered on individual firing skills and setting up equipment in the shortest amount of time.
Week 26 will be centered on the Victory Day parade that will be held on June 24. It is expected that military activity during week 26 will remain low.
June 15
Week 25 saw a significant decrease in military activity in the Baltic Region. This was due in part to the end of the NATO exercise BALTOPS2020 which ended on June 16. Russian warships shadowing the NATO exercise were reported to be back in port by June 18. Russian media provided further information about the type of exercise the Baltic Fleet conducted in parallel with the NATO exercise. No specific information was provided about the composition of the naval task forces involved in each exercise but it became clear that the Baltic Fleet was more active then previously reported during week 24. It shows that the Russian armed forces still have tight control about the flow of information regarding their naval exercises and only communicate the information they feel like sharing.
More details were available with regards to the naval aviation units of the Baltic Fleet. Su-27 aircraft were active at the beginning of the week in intercepting NATO aircraft operating in the Baltic Region. Helicopter units, both those assigned to the navy and ground forces, were involved in two large exercise held on June 15 and 19. According to Russian sources, this exercise demanded the use of the entire logistic and maintenance units of the helicopter regiment to support these exercise.
Ground forces in Kaliningrad were involved in standard training exercises centered on individual firing skills and setting up equipment in the shortest amount of time.
Week 26 will be centered on the Victory Day parade that will be held on June 24. It is expected that military activity during week 26 will remain low.
June 15
Helicopter units of the Baltic Fleet naval aviation held a large exercise in the Kaliningrad. The exercise involved over 10 helicopter crews flying Mi-8, Mi-24, Ka-27 and Ka-29 helicopters on a wide variety of training missions. Land based Mi-8 and Mi-24 trained in providing close air support for ground units, destroying command posts, armored vehicles and troop concentrations, as wells conducting air reconnaissance and destroying aerial targets.
Naval missions involved reconnaissance, attacking surface targets and conduct anti-submarine warfare. For the anti-submarine warfare, the helicopters used their mounted canons and practiced dropping torpedoes and bombs weighing 100 to 500 kg. [1] [2]
Naval missions involved reconnaissance, attacking surface targets and conduct anti-submarine warfare. For the anti-submarine warfare, the helicopters used their mounted canons and practiced dropping torpedoes and bombs weighing 100 to 500 kg. [1] [2]
At least two Russian Su-27 fighter aircraft from the naval aviation regiment intercepted several NATO aircraft over the Baltic Sea. Among the intercepted aircraft was an American B-52H bomber. This was the same bomber which also conducted flight training in Estonian airspace during the same day and passed over the Estonian island of Vindloo in the Gulf of Finland, located at 180 km from Saint Petersburg. Other intercepted aircraft involved a German P3 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft as well as a second unidentified patrol aircraft which could either be a Swedish SAAB Swordfish or an Embraer based design. [1] [2] [3]
Ground units in Kaliningrad where involved in an electronic warfare exercise. Around 200 soldiers and 20 pieces of equipment were used during this exercise which involved active and passive phases. The soldiers trained in jamming radio signals, cellular communications and suppress GPS signals. During the passive phase, the units were to collect and analyze information gained from the reception of electromagnetic radiation in the HF and VHF bands. [1] [2]
Russian sources report that over the weekend another five unexploded munitions dating from the Second World War were defused and subsequently destroyed in the Kaliningrad Region. The munition was identified as a 100-mm artillery shell on Arsenalnaya Street in Kaliningrad, a 120-mm anti-tank mine on Lesnoy proezd in the village of Nepleikino in the Svetlovsky city district, a 100-mm artillery shell and an RGD-42 hand grenade in the village of Pavlovo and 76 mm artillery shell in the village of Golubevo, Guryevsky urban district. [1]
June 16
A new air defense exercise was held in the Kaliningrad region which focused on the deployment of mobile radar stations of the 'Sky' and 'Gamma' variants. Around 500 soldiers and 50 pieces of military equipment were involved in the exercise. The units were instructed to set up the radar stations, detect incoming aircraft and provide target information for the S-300 and S-400 air defense systems. These tasks had to be accomplished within the standard set times. [1]
Around 500 soldiers took part in shooting exercise at various training grounds in the Kaliningrad Region. Based on the description of the exercise, it appears that this was a standard exercise so that soldiers could gain or keep their qualifications and experience. The exercise increased gradually in difficult with aiming times and targets sized being constantly reduced. A large part of the exercise was also done while wearing gas masks and protective suits. [1]
Another four unexploded munitions were defused and subsequently destroyed in the Kaliningrad region. Four 122 mm artillery shells dating from World War II were found on the territory of the Baltic City District. The ammunition was brought to military training grounds for subsequent destruction in a controlled environment. [1]
June 17
Over 60 new officers will join the Baltic Fleet and armed forces stationed in Kaliningrad. the new officers come directly from several military universities and will be stationed in Kaliningrad together with their families. [1]
June 18
Tass news agency reports that ships of the Baltic Fleet returned to their port in the city of Baltiysk following their assignment to monitor the NATO held naval exercise BALTOPS2020. According to TASS, the warships held several training exercises during their time at sea which included anti-submarine warfare and air defense. Minesweepers and small anti-submarine vessels also took to the sea during this period in order to conduct defensive operations. Small missiles ships practiced electronic launches of their Kalibr cruise missiles against simulated ground targets inside hostile territory. [1]
The precise nature of these exercises was not mentioned by other news sources during week 24 as shown in our weekly situation report with the exception of a single air defense exercise on June 9. This suggest that the Russian military did not want the exact nature of its exercises and their results to be known through regular media channels.
Around 300 military personnel were involved in a firing exercise with RPG-7V rocket propelled grenades and AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers. The exercise was part of the standard training routine for this years summer exercises and will continue until the end of June. The exercise was held on military training grounds in the Kaliningrad Region. Troops learned to hit their targets up to distances of 250 meters, camouflage their positions, conduct target classification, adjust firing, be able to use observation and aiming devices, determine the distance to the target and firing at maximum possible ranges in both the dark and daylight hours. [1]
June 19
A new helicopter training exercise took place in the Kaliningrad Region which bore resemblance to exercise held on Monday June 15. Ka-27 and Ka-29 helicopters of the naval aviation were involved in an anti-submarine warfare exercise. The helicopters first had to locate a submarine and then proceed to attack it.
At the same time, Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters trained in attacking conventional troops on land. The helicopters were instructed to provide fire support for ground units, destroying command posts and armored vehicles. The attacks were executed with bombs as well as guided and unguided missiles. The exercises took place both during the day and night. [1]
June 20
Russian sources report that a night time training exercise for snipers was held during the night. The exercise is part of a standard training program in order for snipers to improve their practical skills as well as receive tactical and special training. This exercise saw snipers operating both in pairs as in groups at several training grounds. A new operational situation is created daily during this training and the snipers will also practice with radio-controlled targets. [1]
June 21
No specific military training activities were reported by Russian sources. This is probably due to the need for rehearsing the Victory Day parade which will take place on June 24.
Russian sources report that over the weekend another five unexploded munitions dating from the Second World War were defused and subsequently destroyed in the Kaliningrad Region. The munition was identified as a 100-mm artillery shell on Arsenalnaya Street in Kaliningrad, a 120-mm anti-tank mine on Lesnoy proezd in the village of Nepleikino in the Svetlovsky city district, a 100-mm artillery shell and an RGD-42 hand grenade in the village of Pavlovo and 76 mm artillery shell in the village of Golubevo, Guryevsky urban district. [1]
June 16
A new air defense exercise was held in the Kaliningrad region which focused on the deployment of mobile radar stations of the 'Sky' and 'Gamma' variants. Around 500 soldiers and 50 pieces of military equipment were involved in the exercise. The units were instructed to set up the radar stations, detect incoming aircraft and provide target information for the S-300 and S-400 air defense systems. These tasks had to be accomplished within the standard set times. [1]
Around 500 soldiers took part in shooting exercise at various training grounds in the Kaliningrad Region. Based on the description of the exercise, it appears that this was a standard exercise so that soldiers could gain or keep their qualifications and experience. The exercise increased gradually in difficult with aiming times and targets sized being constantly reduced. A large part of the exercise was also done while wearing gas masks and protective suits. [1]
Another four unexploded munitions were defused and subsequently destroyed in the Kaliningrad region. Four 122 mm artillery shells dating from World War II were found on the territory of the Baltic City District. The ammunition was brought to military training grounds for subsequent destruction in a controlled environment. [1]
June 17
Over 60 new officers will join the Baltic Fleet and armed forces stationed in Kaliningrad. the new officers come directly from several military universities and will be stationed in Kaliningrad together with their families. [1]
June 18
Tass news agency reports that ships of the Baltic Fleet returned to their port in the city of Baltiysk following their assignment to monitor the NATO held naval exercise BALTOPS2020. According to TASS, the warships held several training exercises during their time at sea which included anti-submarine warfare and air defense. Minesweepers and small anti-submarine vessels also took to the sea during this period in order to conduct defensive operations. Small missiles ships practiced electronic launches of their Kalibr cruise missiles against simulated ground targets inside hostile territory. [1]
The precise nature of these exercises was not mentioned by other news sources during week 24 as shown in our weekly situation report with the exception of a single air defense exercise on June 9. This suggest that the Russian military did not want the exact nature of its exercises and their results to be known through regular media channels.
Around 300 military personnel were involved in a firing exercise with RPG-7V rocket propelled grenades and AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers. The exercise was part of the standard training routine for this years summer exercises and will continue until the end of June. The exercise was held on military training grounds in the Kaliningrad Region. Troops learned to hit their targets up to distances of 250 meters, camouflage their positions, conduct target classification, adjust firing, be able to use observation and aiming devices, determine the distance to the target and firing at maximum possible ranges in both the dark and daylight hours. [1]
June 19
A new helicopter training exercise took place in the Kaliningrad Region which bore resemblance to exercise held on Monday June 15. Ka-27 and Ka-29 helicopters of the naval aviation were involved in an anti-submarine warfare exercise. The helicopters first had to locate a submarine and then proceed to attack it.
At the same time, Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters trained in attacking conventional troops on land. The helicopters were instructed to provide fire support for ground units, destroying command posts and armored vehicles. The attacks were executed with bombs as well as guided and unguided missiles. The exercises took place both during the day and night. [1]
June 20
Russian sources report that a night time training exercise for snipers was held during the night. The exercise is part of a standard training program in order for snipers to improve their practical skills as well as receive tactical and special training. This exercise saw snipers operating both in pairs as in groups at several training grounds. A new operational situation is created daily during this training and the snipers will also practice with radio-controlled targets. [1]
June 21
No specific military training activities were reported by Russian sources. This is probably due to the need for rehearsing the Victory Day parade which will take place on June 24.
