Baltic Fleet Deployments - Wk 51/2020

December 15

Altay class fleet oiler RFS Kola reportedly left the Kaliningrad Anchorage around 18:20Z [1]. The vessel arrived at the anchorage last week on Saturday December 12 [2].

Command training has started for Platoon commanders stationed in Kaliningrad. Around 500 servicemen will take part in this training and include officers from the Naval Infantry, motorized rifle, tank, artillery and missile units of the 11th army corps, as well as specialists from engineering, radio-technical, rear and other units. The training will also test the officers capability to train and educate his subordinates. [4]

December 16

Russian Media reported that the Kilo class submarine RFS Dmitrov was conducting combat exercises in the Baltic Sea near Kaliningrad. Several operational and tactically situations were trained during the exercises. One exercise involved a deep dive to 190 meters and checking the operation of the systems and mechanics.  Rescue tug SB-123 (Project 02980) provided assistance during the exercise [3]. She left the port of Baltiysk at 07:30Z [4].

Altay class fleet oiler RFS Kola, Steregushchy class corvettes RFS Stoiky and rescue tug Yakov Grebelskiy were located at 17:00Z in a position 38 nautical miles west of Bornholm Island. The task force was on a western course towards the exit of the Baltic Sea. Danish patrol boat P520 monitored the group [5] The Russian Ministry of Defense later announced that the corvette RFS Stoiky will undertake a long range voyage in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocea. The corvette carries a Ka-27 helicopter to be used in anti-submarine warfare exercises. [9]

December 17

Steregushchy class corvettes RFS Stoiky, Altay class fleet oiler RFS Kola, and rescue tug Yakov Grebelskiy passed the Great Belt Bridge around 08:10Z and left the Baltic Sea [6]. At 23:30Z the RFS Kola was located at the anchorage at Skagen Roads. RFS Stoiky and Yakov Grebelskiy continued independently towards the North sea. [10]

Kilo class destroyer RFS Dmitrov continued its L-3 training course with various combat exercises taking place in the Baltic Sea combat training ranges near Kaliningrad. The crew simulated the launch of torpedo's against surface and submerged targets. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the combat task of the RFS Dmitrov involved entering an area undetected where a group of hostile surface warships was located. Once the submarine was in position it had to engage the hostile task force followed by leaving the area and evade a retaliatory attack. The final stage of the exercise involved attacking a submerged target with the torpedo's. [7]

Engineers defused 46 122mm artillery shells found at the village of Nevskoye in the Guryevsky district. The ammunition is a left-over from the Second World War and was found during construction work in the area. Once defused, the ammunition was brought to a training ground for subsequent destruction. [8]

December 18

Baltic Fleet engineers defused 49 120mm artillery shells at a construction side at the Kos village. The ammunition dated back from the Second World War. The ammunition was transported towards the Baltic Fleet training ground for subsequent destruction. An auxiliary vessel of the Baltic Fleet was used to transport the ammunition through the Baltic Sea Channel. [11] [12]

Several training flights were held in the Kaliningrad which involved around 20 aircraft of the naval aviation regiment. Su-30SM and Su-24 aircraft were involved in an air support training exercise. The aircraft trained in engaging enemy troop concentrations, command posts and surface vessels. The aircraft also conducted aerial reconnaissance exercises.
Su-27 fighter aircraft trained both offensive and defensive techniques needed in aerial engagements against imaginary enemy aircraft. these maneuvers took place at various speeds and altitudes.
Mi-8, Mi-24 and Ka-27 helicopters operated from Donskoye airfield in order to conduct their scheduled training exercises. The Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopter crews trained take-off and landings, providing reconnaissance and provide ground support by engaging ground targets.
The Ka-27 helicopters were directed towards the Baltic Fleet training grounds and search for a simulated hostile submarine both during the day and night [13]. The submarine involved was not reported but this is most likely the RFS Dmitrov who in the past days, has been involved in a combat training program in the Baltic Fleet training ranges near Kaliningrad.

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