Baltic Fleet Deployments - Wk 27/2020
June 29
Around ten aircraft, identified as Su-30SM and Su-24 fighters, trained in air refueling in the Kaliningrad airspace. The aircraft were refueled by an Il-78 tanker and conducted the maneuver both individually and in pairs.
Russia only allows its 1st and 2nd class pilots to refuel in the air and only when they have over 400 hours of flight time. Pilots in training make the first eight to ten connections with instructors, followed by three to four approaches on their own. The altitude at which the refueling is done was between 2000 to 5000 meters. All aircraft conducted the maneuver at speeds of 500 to 600 km/h. [1]
A second air exercise at Kaliningrad took place later during the day and centered on providing air support for ground forces. While this exercise also involved Su-30SM and Su-24 fighters, more aircraft were present with over 15 aircraft compared to the 10 involved in the aerial refueling exercise. This suggest that several pilots are not yet qualified for aerial refueling.
The exercise focused on maneuvering during aerial combat, searching for targets and engage them while the enemy conducts electronic warfare. Over 100 targets were simulated and struck during this exercise. [2]
June 30
No military related activity by the Baltic Fleet or the armed forces in Kaliningrad were reported on this day.
July 1
The course held in Eastern Kaliningrad on how to operate automatic grenade launchers has come to end. During June, around 300 military personnel took part in the course which compromised 70 different lessons and 20 firing exercises. It is not reported when a new course will start. [1]
July 2
Deputy Minister of Defense Timur Ivanov inspected the construction of a new Nakhimov Naval School in Kaliningrad. The fifth Nakhimov school is planned to open its door for new students by September 01. Around 240 new students will commencement their studies at the start of the academic year. It was not specified if this number was the maximum students capable of entering the school. To this date, four other Nakhimov schools exist at St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Murmansk and Sevastopol. With the exception of the smaller Caspian Sea Flottila, every Russian Fleet will have a Nakhimov School for training. [1] [2] [3]
July 03
Over 10 Su-24 and Su-30SM aircraft of the naval aviation regiment held a new air support exercise at Kaliningrad. A total of 50 sorties were flown in ten different tactical scenario's during which the aircraft attacked ground positions such as command posts and armored vehicles. The total amount of ordnance used in this training is reported as 200 rockets, over 50 bombs with a weight between 50 and 250kg, and over 800 rounds of 30 mm ammunition. The exercise took place both during the day and nighttime. [1]
A video compilation by TvZvezda showed at least four Su-24 taking taking part in this exercise. Three aircraft were seen showing their marking, these were White-04, White-09 and White-11 Two Su-30SM aircraft were also shown in this video. These aircraft were marked as Blue-77 and Blue-71. [2]
Around 200 soldiers at Kaliningrad have started their parachute training, which will take around four months to complete. The training will first focus on theoretic courses and a practical course on folding the main and reserve parachutes. Once this phase is completed, the parachute jumps will commence from altitudes between 600 and 2.000 meters. Soldiers will carry their full combat equipment during the jumps and practice delayed openings 10, 15 and 20 seconds after exeting the aircraft. [1]
July 04
Russian media did not report an military activity within the Baltic Region.
July 05
No military activity in the form of exercises, training or deployments were reported on this day.
The exercise focused on maneuvering during aerial combat, searching for targets and engage them while the enemy conducts electronic warfare. Over 100 targets were simulated and struck during this exercise. [2]
June 30
No military related activity by the Baltic Fleet or the armed forces in Kaliningrad were reported on this day.
July 1
The course held in Eastern Kaliningrad on how to operate automatic grenade launchers has come to end. During June, around 300 military personnel took part in the course which compromised 70 different lessons and 20 firing exercises. It is not reported when a new course will start. [1]
July 2
Deputy Minister of Defense Timur Ivanov inspected the construction of a new Nakhimov Naval School in Kaliningrad. The fifth Nakhimov school is planned to open its door for new students by September 01. Around 240 new students will commencement their studies at the start of the academic year. It was not specified if this number was the maximum students capable of entering the school. To this date, four other Nakhimov schools exist at St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Murmansk and Sevastopol. With the exception of the smaller Caspian Sea Flottila, every Russian Fleet will have a Nakhimov School for training. [1] [2] [3]
July 03
Over 10 Su-24 and Su-30SM aircraft of the naval aviation regiment held a new air support exercise at Kaliningrad. A total of 50 sorties were flown in ten different tactical scenario's during which the aircraft attacked ground positions such as command posts and armored vehicles. The total amount of ordnance used in this training is reported as 200 rockets, over 50 bombs with a weight between 50 and 250kg, and over 800 rounds of 30 mm ammunition. The exercise took place both during the day and nighttime. [1]
A video compilation by TvZvezda showed at least four Su-24 taking taking part in this exercise. Three aircraft were seen showing their marking, these were White-04, White-09 and White-11 Two Su-30SM aircraft were also shown in this video. These aircraft were marked as Blue-77 and Blue-71. [2]
Around 200 soldiers at Kaliningrad have started their parachute training, which will take around four months to complete. The training will first focus on theoretic courses and a practical course on folding the main and reserve parachutes. Once this phase is completed, the parachute jumps will commence from altitudes between 600 and 2.000 meters. Soldiers will carry their full combat equipment during the jumps and practice delayed openings 10, 15 and 20 seconds after exeting the aircraft. [1]
July 04
Russian media did not report an military activity within the Baltic Region.
July 05
No military activity in the form of exercises, training or deployments were reported on this day.
