Russian Naval Infantry - October 2020
October 01
Baltic Fleet:
Live firing exercises were held on the Pavenkovo training ground where the marines of the Baltic Fleet have been active since the beginning of the week. The live firing exercises included firing small arms, anti-tank weapons and artillery as well as the weapon systems mounted on the BTR-82As. Aside from live firing exercises, the marines also trained in mobile operations, both offensive and defensive, and the interaction between the marines and supporting artillery units. [1]
October 02
Baltic Fleet:
The battalion sized group of Baltic Fleet Naval Infantry have returned to their barracks in Baltiysk following a 120km night-time march from the training grounds in Pavenkovo. [2]
October 05
Caspian Flotilla:
Artillery units of the Caspian Flotilla Naval Infantry held a live firing training on the Adanak training ground in Dagestan. Over 200 marines with 40 pieces of military equipment were involved in the training. The artillery pieces used during the training were identified as 122mm D-30 howitzers and ATGM systems. Over the course of the exercise, the marines will train in attacking at fixed target positions, simulating armored targets and enemy troops. The exercise will take place both during the day as night. [3]
Around 100 marines took part in a counter-terrorism exercise at an unspecified location in Dagestan. The exercise saw irregular forces taking over a civilian truck and attempt to pass a military checkpoint in order to seize a weapons depot. The marines were able to identify the truck and pin down the irregular forces. At the same time, the local anti-terrorism unit was called upon as reinforcement. The marines and the anti-terrorism unit succeeded in neutralizing the irregular forces. The exercise also saw the marines treating and evacuating a wounded soldier. [4]
October 07
Caspian Flotilla:
Over 200 marines took part in a specialized course regarding the use of the D-10 parachute system. The training involved preparing the parachute and practice jumps on a simulator which allowed the marines to train the steps from separation of the aircraft until landing. [5]
October 8
Pacific Fleet:
Cadets at the Far Eastern Higher All-Arms Command School (DVOKU) have started their parachute training at the Pacific Fleet airbase at the Primorsky Territory. Over 120 training jumps took place with 5 cadets jumping out of Mi-8 helicopters and An-26 aircraft. The D-10 parachute system was used during this training. [6]
At the same time, regular marines assigned to the air assault and reconnaissance units also practiced their parachute skills near the village of Razdolny in Kamchatka. Over 50 parachute jumps took place under the supervision of Major Alexander Somov who is reported to be the assistant commander for airborne training. The parachute jumps took place from Mi-8 helicopters flying at an altitude between 800 and 1.000 meters. Training for the jumps reportedly started two weeks ago with landing skills being trained on simulators which allowed them to work out the procedures for exiting the aircraft, landing and maneuvering in the air. It is expected that around 200 jumps will be conducted by the end of week 41. The marines allegedly use the D-1 and Crossbow-2 parachutes and are jumping in full combat gear. [7]
October 11
Caspian Flotilla:
Marines have started to improve the training facilities at the Adanak training ground in the Dagestan Region in preparation of the new training season. Special attention was given to the technical equipment of the military shooting range, training places and classrooms, the preparation of targets, trenches, command and observation posts, etc. Around 30 additional targets imitating tanks, artillery and troop concentrations were also constructed. In total, over 200 targets will be installed on the shooting ranges at distances between 700 and 5,000 meters which allows for live firing exercises to be held for artillery systems, anti-tank guided weapons and grenade launchers. [8]
October 12
Caspian Flotilla:
Over 200 marines, supported by 15 BTR-82A APCs, were involved in a radiation, chemical and biological protection training at the Turali training ground in Dagestan. the training involved moving through a contaminated area in the shortest possible time using protective equipment. The marines were patrolling the are both on foot and deployed in the BTR-82A APCs when scouts detected the contamination. The marines were instructed to respond to the call outs "Radiation hazard" and "Chemical alarm" by putting on their gas masks and conduct the prescribed drills in case of a faulty gas mask. [9]
A second group of marines were involved in a night time anti-terrorist exercise at an unspecified location in Dagestan. According to Russian sources, a group of 10 irregular militants infiltrated the area during the night and took over a building. The naval infantry unit was put on alert and approached the captured building by crawling to it during the night. Engineers created smoke screens to further distract the militants and avoid them from noticing the advancing marines. The marines allegedly took up blocking positions before attacking the militants inside the building. Once the militants were neutralized, engineers moved in to defuse several explosive devices left behind by the militants. In total, around 20 imitation explosive charges of the type IM-120, more than 15 smoke bombs and about 1,000 blank cartridges for machine guns and assault rifles were used during this exercise. [10]
October 13
Northern Fleet:
A Northern Fleet surface task force centered on the Udaloy class destroyer RFS Severomorsk and the Ropucha class landing ship RFS Kondopoga arrived at the Alexandra Land island in the Franz Josef Land archipelago in the Barents Sea. The vessels are currently anchored in the Gulf of Semyon Dezhnev and began preparations for landing an amphibious assault group on an undefended coast. [11]
October 14
Baltic Fleet:
A special training was held at the Marine Corps Training Center, part of the Joint Training Center of the Russian Navy, where marines trained in overcoming vertical surfaces. The training is an integral part of the marines assigned to anti-terror groups stationed on Russia warships and was reportedly led by the senior instructor in mountain training at the Marine Corps Training Center, Lieutenant Commander Daniil Yurakov. Overcoming vertical surfaces is a required field of expertise for marines in order to embark and disembark from highjacked vessels. [12]
October 15
Baltic Fleet:
The Marine Corps Training Center, part of the Joint Training Center of the Russian Navy, at Saint Petersburg reported that since the beginning of 2020 around 600 marines were trained in anti-terrorism operations. These marines will be stationed on board of warships and perform several tasks such as ship security in harbor as well as anti-piracy operations and inspections on board of vessels. According to Russian sources, the training also implemented lessons learned from the Syrian Civil War. [13]
October 17
Pacific Fleet:
Marines stationed at Kamchatka held a public relations event called 'Zarya-Vostok 2020'. Around 250 people, mainly members of the regional branch of the Yunarmiya movement, students at professional educational institutions and members of the Kamchatka Territory Airsoft Federation took part in this event which was held at the Radygino training ground. The participants were divided into two teams, each tasked to defend their positions and capture those of the opposing forces.
Marines provided security during the event and transportation for the participants on the training ground. The vehicles used to transport these participants were listed as Ural trucks, BTR-82A APCs and T-80 main battle tanks. At the end of the event, a field kitchen was set up to provide food for the participants. It is reportedly the third time that this military-tactical game event is hosted. [14]
October 21
Caspian Flotilla
Around 200 marines, supported by 30 pieces of military equipment and three Serna class landing craft of the Caspian Flotilla, took part in an amphibious training at the Turali training ground and the so-called Scorpion training complex in Dagestan. The marines practiced loading BTR-82A APCs on and off the Serna class landing crafts as well as deploying these vehicles in marching and battle order.
Once loaded, the Serna landing craft practiced different methods for approaching a hostile coastline. Once in front of the coast, the landing craft would stop and have the BTR-82As leave the craft and move towards the beach under their own power. Once on the beach, the marines would push to exit the beach as fast as possible while engaging simulated targets with small arms fires and vehicles mounted weapons.
Reportedly, an additional exercise in recovering vehicles stuck in sand took place as well with the BTR-82As towing other vehicles and faulty equipment. [16]
 |
| Serna Class landing craft |
Around 200 sappers and engineers were actively training at the Adanak training range and the so-called Scorpion coastal training range at Dagestan. The engineers conducted reconnaissance, installed training minefields and trained in disposing explosive devices. Special attention was given to anti-tank mines in the coastal zone, for which the use of a special underwater mine detector was needed.
The exercise took place in two parts. The first part involved groups of two marines mining a section of ground as well as searching and defusing explosive devices.
The second part involved the engineers making passages in a minefield in order to allow troops and equipment to pass through. [15]
Pacific Fleet:
Marines stationed in Kamchatka are in the final week of training parachute jumps for the 2020 training year. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the last 100 training jumps are planned during this week. The training took place under the leadership of the assistant commander of the airborne training unit, Major Alexander Somov. Servicemen of various units have already performed over 1,500 parachute jump during this training year with jumps out several helicopters and aircraft under a wide variety of conditions. [17]
October 23
Northern and Black Sea Fleet:
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that 50 marines of the Northern and Black Sea Fleets have completed their training at the Marine Corps Training Center of the Joint Training Center of the Navy in St. Petersburg. Their training focused on counter-terrorism operations when stationed as guards on board of warships. These marines are returning back to their permanent deployments. [18]
Caspian Flotilla:
Around 150 marines were involved in a tactical shooting course on the Adanak training ground in Dagestan. The marines practiced new firing techniques for small arms in both the prone, kneeling and standing positions. Training took place on team level in groups of two and four marines. Groups of four to six marines were brought to the 1.000 meter firing line and had to advance over rough ground while applying the new firing techniques. The new techniques also focused on mutual assistance between the firing teams of two and four marines. [19]
Marines of the Caspian Flotilla have also continued to upgrade their training grounds with new obstacle courses, shooting positions and simulated targets. The Caspian Flotilla Naval Infantry is in the progress of receiving new weapons and this will result in increased combat training exercises in the near future.
Among the upgrades are 20 new courses with obstacles to train the movement and deployment of BTR-82A APCs as well as a new five kilometer long coastal zone with rough terrain to practice amphibious landings. Over 200 marines, supported by 50 pieces of specialized equipment, have been involved in the modernization of these facilities. [20].
October 31
Northern Fleet:
Several marines were examined in the aftermath of the summer training period. Driver-mechanics had to drive their BTR-82A APCs through an obstacle course as fast as possible in spite of the snow and muddy conditions. During the obstacle course, several simulated targets had to be engaged as well.
At the same time, riflemen and grenadiers were examined in their abilities to operate the RPG-7 rocket propelled grenade launcher and T-1000 sniper rifles. Snipers were tasked to hit targets up to 2,000 meters away. [21]
