Baltic Fleet Deployments - Wk 38/2020

 September 15

Two Baltic Fleet corvettes, identified as the RFS Steregushchy and RFS Boiky, held an anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Baltic Sea. The exercise involved searching, detecting, tracking and engaging a hostile submarine. The hostile submarine was reportedly tasked with interdicting the sea line of communications of the Baltic Fleet. 

The exercise was followed by several other exercises which included electronic jamming, air-defense drills, joint navigation, damage control and navigation in restricted waters. [1]

Iskandar armed missile units did simulated launches in the Kaliningrad Region as part of their summer training. According to Russian media, the units trained deploying the launchers and setting them up for launch, followed by a simulated launch. In total, over 100 missile drills were held during the summer training which involved over 500 servicemen. [1]

A Su-27 fighter aircraft of the Western Military District was launched to intercept a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft belonging to the US Navy. The US aircraft was intercepted above the Baltic Sea until it turned away from the Russian airspace borders, after which the Su-27 returned back to base. [1]

The Baltic Fleet dispatched a Raptor class fast attack craft to assist the Dutch cargo vessel in the Gulf of Finland. The Dutch vessel, identified as the Eemsborg had sent a distress signal for immediate medical assistance. One of the crew members on board was reportedly injured during ship operations and needed urgent hospitalization.

the crew member was evacuated from the cargo vessel and brought back towards Kronstadt where he was handed over to an awaiting ambulance. [1] [2]

September 16

Baltic Fleet Naval Aviation was very active during this day with several aircraft participating in a wide variety of exercises. Su-30SM and Su-24 aircraft took to the sky for tactical exercises such as fire support for ground units, the destruction of command posts, armored vehicles, troops and surface ships belonging to a simulated enemy. the aircraft also provided air reconnaissance during these missions.

Su-27 fighter aircraft trained in aerial engagements against simulated targets which involved both offensive as defensive maneuvers.

Rotary wing aircraft based at the Donskoye airfield were also active with Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters practicing takeoff and landing, performing aerial reconnaissance flights, and attacks against ground targets of a simulated enemy force. Ka-27 helicopters were tasked to search and track a simulated submarine in the Baltic Sea, both during daytime and nighttime. 

Over 20 aircraft were involved in these exercises. Among these were the fighters identified as 81 RED, 85 RED, 88 RED, 98 RED and 102 RED. [1]

Two Tu-160VKS long range bombers of the Russian Air Force flew an 8-hour long patrol over the Baltic Sea as part of a regular patrol. The aircraft was intercepted and escorted by several NATO and European fighter aircraft during the course of its patrol. These aircraft were identified as F-16's of the Danish Air Force, a MiG-29 of the Polish Air Force and Grippen JAS-39 of the Swedish Air Force. Russian Su-35 fighter aircraft provided air support and escort during several parts of the patrol. [1]

September 17

Marines held a defensive exercise at the Khmelevka training ground in the Kaliningrad Region. The marines were tasked to clear out a position taken by paratroopers of a simulated enemy. The marines used 2S9 'Nona' self-propelled guns in order to shell the positions held by the enemy forces. The exercise also saw the marines attacking the positions with small-arms and grenades, while being supported by artillery and armored personnel carriers. Over 500 troops and 20 pieces of military equipment were involved in this exercise. [1]

A large scale communication exercise was held at the Kaliningrad region which saw the deployment of over 300 troops and 50 pieces of military equipment. The troops were training on how to fold and relocate mobile stations equipped on  command and staff vehicles. The troops also practiced laying cable lines as well as on how to organize wireless communication channels. [1] 

A Russian Su-27 fighter aircraft was scrambled to intercept a US Navy P-8A Poseidon and a Swedish Gulstream over the Baltic Sea. The Su-27 aircraft intercepted both aircraft and escorted them until they turned away from Russian airspace. [1]

September 19

Over 50 soldiers took part in a counter terrorism exercise at the town of Sovetsk in the Kaliningrad Region. Upon being called to action, the soldiers locked down the approaches to the town and increased the protection of a storage area. the simulated terrorist group was engaged and destroyed during an attack on a checkpoint. BTR-80 armored personnel carriers provided fire support during this engagement. [1]

Over 100 soldiers of an unspecified engineer unit took part in a special exercise on the Khmelevka training ground. The soldiers conducted various reconnaissance's for identifying routes through which an amphibious landing group could pass, as well as searching for explosives on potential landing sites. The soldiers trained in using their Korshun mine detectors, as well as the Sokol protective suits.
UR-83P and UR-77 Demining units were used to make passages through the simulated minefields. The engineers also had to successfully fight off an attack by special forces on their bridgehead. [1]