Russian Naval Infantry - November 2020

November 05

Northern Fleet:

Reconnaissance units held a training exercise in mountainous terrain during which they had to raid and destroy a base belonging to a simulated insurgent force. The training exercise took place near the village of Sputnik, Murmansk, where the Naval Infantry established a training ground three years ago.

The training involved tactical operations in a wooded environment, climbing techniques to overcome steep cliffs and ravines as well as small arms firing during simulated engagements with insurgent forces.

Exercises like these allow the Naval Infantry to be deployed in a counter-insurgency rol as well as light infantry operating in wooded and mountainous terrain. [1]

November 07

Black Sea Fleet:

Newly recruited conscripts are being thought on how to drive the BTR-82A APC at the Cossack Bay in Sevastopol. The training takes place under the supervision of experienced driver mechanics and consists of both theoretical and practical courses.

Before being allowed to drive, the recruits studied the safety requirements, conducted training for and passed the standards for emergency escape of the armored personnel carrier on special training mock-ups. Aside from driving on land, the new recruits will also learn on how to operate the BTR-82A in the water.

Ten BTR-82As were made available for this training. [2]

November 08

Pacific Fleet:

A training exercise centered on how to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles used by enemy forces was held at the Gornostay  training range in the Primorsky Territory. Mock-up UAVs were being towed above the firing sectors by a heavy quadcopter. Marines then used their automatic weapons to shoot down these mock-up UAVs. The UAVs were located at distances up to 500 meters from the firing positions held by the marines and at altitudes of 300 to 400 meters. [3]

November 10

Baltic Fleet:

A company sized unit of the 879th Air-Assault Battalion, 336th Naval Infantry Brigade, was involved in a small scale amphibious landing exercise in the Kaliningrad Region. The company sized unit was mounted in ten BTR-82A APCs during the exercise. The exercise took place at Khmelevka training ground and involved the use of two Zubr Class hovercrafts, the RFS Evgeniy Kocheshkov and the RFS Mordoviya.  Pictures of the landing also show the marines setting up at least two mortars on the beach as additional fire support.

During the transit, both hovercrafts trained in engaging surface and air targets with the AK-630 close in weapon system. Additional exercises on board of these hovercraft involved damage control and radiation, chemical and biological protection of the ship while at sea.

This exercise proved to be a change for the servicemen involved as their usual method of operations involves the use of Mi-8 transport helicopters to land either on the beach or directly behind it to secure the exit routes.

Following the amphibious landing exercise, the marines were tested on an obstacle course in their capabilities of overcoming obstacles, small arms fire and first aid skills. [4] [6]

November 11

Baltic Fleet:

Reconnaissance units of the Naval Infantry and Marine special forces conducted several parachute jumps in the Kaliningrad Region. The jumps were conducted from a Mi-8 helicopter from altitudes of around 800 meters. The training took place in full combat gear in both day and nighttime and saw the use of several parachute systems such as the Malva and Crossbow systems.

Once on the ground, the marines conducted several clandestine operations such as taking prisoners, sabotaging lines of communication and conducting patrols behind enemy lines. The reconnaissance units relied on the the GLONASS satellite navigation system during these tasks.

Up to 150 jumps will be conducted until the end of the week.  [5]

November 12

Baltic Fleet:

The Russian ministry of defense reported that parachute training for the reconnaissance units of the Naval Infantry and Marine special forces continued on November 12. No changes in the set up of the training compared to November 11 were reported. [7]

November 13

Caspian Flotilla:

Over 200 marines were involved in a field training at the Adanak training ground in the Dagestan Region. The training was held to familiarize the marines with operations in mountainous terrain. Classes were held in reconnaissance, tactical operation, physical endurance, small arms fire, engineering and medical training.

The marines also studied the fortification of equipment and positions, camouflage, the installation of mine-explosive obstacles, the organization of reconnaissance and the conduct of offensive and defensive battles. [8]

November 18

Caspian Flotilla:

Over 400 marines, serving in the air assault and reconnaissance units of the Caspian Flotilla are undergoing training in how to parachute. The first stage involves theoretical training and familiarizing with the materiel and instruments. The servicemen also practiced packing parachutes, adjusting equipment, fastening weapons and practicing jumping on simulators. Ground training takes place under the supervision of officers and instructors of the airborne service. These specialists are tasked with training the personnel to perform parachute jumps in various conditions and on difficult terrain.

The final stage will take place in December with real parachute jumps out of helicopters. The army aviation of the 4th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Southern Military District will provide these helicopters. [9]

Officer training has started for around 50 officers serving in the Caspian Flotilla Naval Infantry. The aim is to improve the skills, abilities and commanding qualities of officers and teach them the most effective and promising forms and methods of training subordinate personnel. Company commanders will improve their knowledge and skills in weapons training and operating combat vehicles. They will also undergo amphibious training at seminars, receive tactical briefings and demonstration classes. Physical training classes will test strength, endurance, speed when overcoming a combined arms and special obstacle course.

The officers will also undergo training and lectures in tactics, both during offensive and defensive operations. [10]

November 22

Baltic Fleet:

Reconnaissance units of the Naval Infantry were involved in a training mission to infiltrate a special forces group who had penetrated the Kaliningrad Region. According to the training scenario, a sabotage and reconnaissance unit of a conventional enemy (a Russian term mostly referring to hostile special forces) had infiltrated on the coastline at Khmelevka and was heading deeper into the Kaliningrad Region. The Marines were instructed to conduct an ambush against these special forces and destroy it with small arms fire and vehicles mounted weapons.

Additional tasks trained during this exercise involved training on how to take prisoners, disabling and jamming enemy communications, navigation with the use of the GLONASS satellite navigation system and the conduct of reconnaissance patrols.

The ambush was conducted with machine gun fire, sniper fire and the weapons mounted on board of the BTR-82A APC.

Snipers had the additional training in camouflage and hunting down enemy snipers present in the simulated special forces group. [12]

November 23

Caspian Flotilla:

Around 70 marines were involved in a counter-insurgency exercise at Kaspiysk in the Dagestan Region. According to the training scenario, a group of insurgents penetrated a military base in order to seize the ammunition depot and military vehicles stationed inside the base. Marines, supported by GAZ-2330 "Tigr" vehicles were tasked to counter the infiltration. The Tigr created smokescreens to allow the marines to regroup and counter attack. Firing positions in the buildings occupied by the insurgents were suppressed with the use of small arms as part of the drill. Additionally, medical personnel were involved as well to trait simulated wounded servicemen. [11]

November 24

Baltic Fleet:

The Baltic Fleet at Kaliningrad have received their first Project 02510 BK-16 high speed amphibious landing boat. The BK-16 is a Russian variant of the CB-90 assault boats and was build at the Rybinsk Shipyard. The vessel will be used to transport up to 18 special forces operators at a speed of 40 knots over a distance of 400 nautical miles. The boat is equipped with remote controlled weapons and has armor protection against 7.62mm armor piercing bullets. [13]

November 25

Caspian Flotilla:

Around 50 marines took part in a damage control course that trained on how to deal with fires and incoming water on board of landing ships. The exercise saw the use of real fires and the use of special compartments which can be flooded remotely. The marines also trained in the correct procedures of getting into life rafts.

The exercises shows that, while embarked on amphibious landing ships, the marines are trained for and to be used in damage control operations in the event of fires and hull breaches. [14]