Russian Naval Infantry - December 2020
December 04
Caspian Flotilla:
Around 200 soldiers of the air assault battalion, Caspian Flotilla Naval Infantry, trained on the obstacle course at the Turali training ground in Dagestan. The marines had to overcome several physical barriers while being pshychologcally pressured through the use of fire, smoke, noise effects, screams, bright light in the face and the imitation of exploding grenades.
The obstacle course is designed to simulate combat conditions as close as possible. the psychological stress placed upon the marines during the training in part aims to develop courage, ingenuity, the ability to make urgent decisions and provide mutual assistance. At the same time, it allows for evaluation of the psycho-emotional state of the marines by military psychologists. [1]
The obstacle course is designed to simulate combat conditions as close as possible. the psychological stress placed upon the marines during the training in part aims to develop courage, ingenuity, the ability to make urgent decisions and provide mutual assistance. At the same time, it allows for evaluation of the psycho-emotional state of the marines by military psychologists. [1]
December 07
Pacific Fleet:
Since December 02, a total of four landing craft of the Pacific Fleet are used to transport people and equipment between Russki island and the city of Vladivostok. In the aftermath of a passing cyclone, there is currently no road communication between the island and the city of Vladivostok. Three landing craft are thus used as ferries, with the fourth one being held in reserve. In the course of five days, these landing crafts reportedly transported 2.000 people and 110 pieces of equipment over a total of 30 voyages. Dyugon class landing craft RFS Ivan Kartsov is the most used vessel in this operation, making three trips a day to Russki island as well as the Reineke and Popv islands. [2]
Caspian Flotilla:
A battalion tactical group (BTG) was formed and deployed to the Adanak training grounds in Dagestan for a field exercise. The operational tasks of the BTG is to set up the defense of a coastal sector and prevent an amphibious landing of hostile forces. At the same time, the BTG must be able to conduct offensive operations in its sector and prepare for counterstrike should enemy forces be able to establish a beachhead. Special attention will be given to the organization of squads, platoons and companies and their use of small arms, RPG-7 grenade launchers and the coordination with BTR-82A APCs. Around 1.000 marines will take part in this exercise, supported by 200 pieces of military equipment. The exercise is reported to last until the end of week 50.
A first exercise involved the engineers and forward elements of the BTG who were tasked to demine the marching route and fight off attacks by hostile reconnaissance forces as the BTG was moving towards its assembly point. [3] [4]
A second exercise in the Adanak Region involved 50 members of a reconnaissance unit setting up an ambush against an illegal armed formation (a generic Russian term usually implying a group of non-state actors such as insurgents). The reconnaissance unit marched covertly towards the ambush point and visually identified the formation. The marines set up several hastily formed firing position and engaged the group of insurgents in a mock battle once it crossed a designated line. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the reconnaissance unit succeeded in eliminating the insurgents during this engagement. [5]
December 09
Caspian Flotilla:
Around 300 marines, supported by 96 pieces of military equipment which included 16 D-30 122mm howitzers, were involved in a combat exercise at the Adanak training ground in Dagestan. The artillerymen, acting as a reconnaissance and firing unit, engaged positions belonging to platoons sized forces of a simulated enemy. Target information was acquired through the use of Orlan-10 UAVs. During the exercise, 122mm high explosive fragmentation rounds were used against simulated command posts, firing positions, field fortifications and enemy troop concentrations. Once the artillery strike was completed, the artillery batteries moved to a secondary position to avoid being hit by a retaliatory strike. [6]
December 10
Pacific Fleet:
Parachute training courses have started in the Primorsky Region with over 100 marines assigned to the air assault battalion taking part. training jumps took place from a Mi-8 helicopter flying at altitudes of 600 meters. Previously, these marines took part in ground training before being cleared to jump. This ground training involved studying the parachute system, packing the parachute, fitting of equipment and weapons and training on simulators. [7]
Caspian Flotilla:
Over 100 marines of the reconnaissance units of the Capsian Flotilla Naval Infantry will take part in a sniper training course held on the Adanak and Turali training grounds. The marines will undergo tactical and specialist training in weapons handling, shooting and the use of scopes. Aside from shooting, the troops will also undergo training in reconnaissance, moving across the battlefield, camouflage, target identification, determining distances and using observation devices. The marines will be grouped in several sniper pairs for this training. [8]
Over 400 marines, supported by 150 pieces of military equipment, were assembled on the Adanak training ground in Dagestan for a practical training with mortar units. The crews of 120mm 'Sani' mortars trained in deploying and camouflaging their mortars in mountainous terrain. This training involved transporting and setting up the mortar, calculating target data, aiming the mortar, changing firing positions and conduct counter-artillery fire.
Practical firing exercise took place at distances between 800 and 4.000 meters. Over 300 120mm high-explosive fragmentation rounds were fired during this exercise. [9]
Baltic Fleet:
Fire support groups of the air assault battalion trained in organizing ambushes at the Khmelevka training ground in Kaliningrad. The groups, equipped with RPG-7 and AGS-17 grenade launchers were task to ambush a group of insurgents as they moved to prepare a beachhead for landing a hostile amphibious force. The fire support groups targeted the lead and trailing vehicles of the enemy column during the ambush and then proceeded to eliminate the insurgent forces trapped in the middle. the support groups also trained in changing positions during the ambush to avoid being targeted by the insurgent forces. A total of 200 targets, representing individual targets and simulated troop concentrations, were engaged during the ambush. In total, 150 inert and 200 real grenades were fired during the exercise. Training is reported to continue at Khmelevka until the end of the month. [10]
December 11
Baltic Fleet:
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Naval Infantry fire support groups were again training at the Khmelevka training ground. the set up of the exercise is reported to be the same as the exercise that took place on December 10. This suggest that a rerun of the exercise took place with little to no variation though this could not be verified independently. [11]
December 14
Caspian Flotilla:
Marines of the Caspian Flotilla have started a parachute training course in Dagestan. Around 200 servicemen, assigned to the air assault battalion and the reconnaissance units, will take part in this training which involve jumping from Mi-8MTSH helicopters at altitudes between 600 and 1.300 meters in full combat gear. One jump will be undertaken from an altitude of 1.500 meters. The 4th Army Air Force will provide the helicopters during this training. A total of 500 jumps will be done with D-10 and Arbalet-2 parachutes.
Once this training is completed, the servicemen will move on and train tactical air assault with helicopters flying as low as 2 to 3 meters above the ground in order to insert the marines in a combat zone. Once deployed, the marines will split up and march towards the locations held by simulated hostile forces. The marines will try to penetrate a guarded installation covertly in order to gain information about the installation and its occupants. This intelligence is then to be used during follow up air and missile strikes. [12]
Black Sea Fleet:
Driver-mechanic training in the Black Sea Fleet, which we last reported on November 7, has moved to the stage where the driver-mechanics are training on how to operate their BTR-82A APCs on the water as well as moving from land into the sea and from the sea back on land. Training is still held at the Cossack Bay near Sevastopol and 10 BTR-82As are being used in this training. [13]
December 15
Baltic Fleet:
An unspecified number of platoon commanders are enrolled in a command training program at Kaliningrad. The training will last for several days and will evaluate the officers capabilities to train and educate his subordinates. The Naval Infantry officers are joined by other platoon commanders coming from the combat and support units of the 11th Army Corps stationed in Kaliningrad. [14]
December 16
Caspian Flotilla:
Artillerymen of the Caspian Flotilla held a night time firing exercise at the Adanak training grounds. the weapon systems used during this exercises were reported as Grad multiple launch rocket systems, D-30 artillery pieces and 2S12 'Sani' mortars. The exercise involved manning firing positions, conduct reconnaissance and calculating distances before firing. The gunners reportedly made use of night vision and illumination devices. Additional exercises involved small arms firing and night time driving of combat vehicles over rough terrain. The first exercise suggest training the artillerymen to defend their positions during an enemy attack. The latter exercise was a training for the supporting servicemen who man the trucks transporting the artillery pieces and ammunition. In total, over 100 artillerymen took part in this exercise. They were supported by 50 pieces of military equipment. [15]
Parachute training, which started on December 14, continues in the Dagestan Region. The new recruits have completed studying the parachute system and have past the tests in order to be allowed to start jumping. The current daily training schedule is aimed to have around 100 new recruits jumping daily from Mi-8AMTSh helicopters, both during the day and night. At least six jumps are planned on a daily basis. Each recruit needs to make four to six parachute jumps during this part of the training. [16]
On December 14, it was announced that 200 servicemen took part in this course. With the current training rhythm, all 200 servicemen should have completed their six jumps by the end of Friday, December 17.
December 17
Caspian Flotilla:
Officers of the air assault battalion and reconnaissance units trained in parachute jumps using the Arbalet-2 parachute systems. Jumps were conducted from Mi-8AMTSh helicopters at altitudes between 800 and 1.500 meters and were done in full combat gear. The officers learned to increase the range of their jumps as well as their accuracy of landing in areas limited by the terrain. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 500 parachute jumps have so far been conducted by the Caspian Flotilla Naval Infantry in December. [17]
Over 250 marines, equipped with 30 BTR-82A, conducted amphibious assault training at the coastal training complex called 'Scorpion'. The training involves loading men and equipment on board of landing ships and craft. Driver-mechanics practiced driving the BTR-82A on land and afloat. Previously, these driver-mechanics had theoretical training and practiced on simulators. They also study the damage-control actions necessary when the vehicle experiences a malfunction while afloat.
In a later stage, these marines will conduct amphibious landings launched from landing ships and crafts. [18]
December 18
Pacific Fleet:
Cadets of the Far Eastern Higher Combined Arms Command School (DOVKU) conducted parachute jumps together with the air assault battalion of the Pacific Fleet Naval Infantry. Over 100 servicemen, including 48 cadets, jumped from MI-8AMTSh helicopters using D10 parachutes. In the days leading up to these jumps, the cadets underwent a mandatory training program before being given permission to jump. [19]
December 21
Caspian Flotilla:
Reconnaissance units were involved in a special tactical exercise held at the Adanak training range in Dagestan. The marines, mounted in BTR-82As, were tasked to escort a unit of BM-21 Grad MRLS as it moved towards its firing positions. Simulated hostile forces attacked the military column in a mountain gorge during this deployment. The marines responded by using their RDG-2 smoke grenades to lay a smokescreen. The marines then regrouped and returned fire to suppress the enemy firing positions and allowed the rest of the column to withdraw. In total, around 100 servicemen and 30 pieces of military equipment were involved in the exercise. [20]
December 22
Caspian Flotilla:
Around 100 servicemen of reconnaissance units took part in the RB-3 specialized hand-to-hand combat training. The course teaches the marines self-defense and how to incapacitate enemies, both with and without the use of weapons. The course also teaches the marines specialized techniques for hand-to-hand combat in restricted spaces such as trenches, dugouts and staircases. [21]
Pacific Fleet:
Around 200 servicemen are involved in a training course on how to operate the BTR-82A armored personnel carrier. The training takes place at the Bamburovo training ground in the Primorsky territory. The drivers will learn how to maneuver the vehicle at high speeds, overcome obstacles and operate as part of a convoy. The crew will also be faced by tactical situations during these maneuvers which will require the use of the vehicle mounted weapon systems. Firing of the30mm canon will be conducted against simulated targets at distances between 400 and 800 meters. Tracer ammunition will be used for visually corrections. [22]
December 23
Baltic Fleet:
Amphibious landing vessel RFS Pyotr Morgunov has been officially accepted into the Russian Navy. the ceremony took place at Kaliningrad and was attended by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov. The commanding the new vessel is Captain Vyacheslav Solovyov.
December 25
Caspian Flotilla:
A battalion tactical group (BTG) of the Naval Infantry was involved in live firing tactical exercises at the Adanak training ground in Dagestan. The BTG made a stealth march towards its assembly point and then took up combat positions against an simulated enemy force. During offensive phases, the BTG was supported by armored vehicles and artillery and carried out raiding actions and took up blocking positions. Around 300 simulated targets were engaged during the exercise. [25]
Fire support was provided by 120mm 2S12 Sani mortars. It is unclear if this was the same detachment that had previously exercises at Adanak on December 16.
December 28
Caspian Flotilla:
The firing range at the Adanak training ground in Dagestan has been modernized and now allows for live firing exercises at ranges between 700 meters and 10 kilometers. In total, over 300 new targets were constructed, most of them in the shapes of tanks, artillery systems and troop concentrations. The shooting range can be used for artillery, main battle tanks, anti-tank guided missile systems and grenade launchers. [26]
December 29
Caspian Flotilla:
Around 50 engineers of the Naval Infantry were involved in a training exercise at an unspecified location on the coast of Dagestan. The engineers worked out new procedures in detecting anti-personnel and anti-tank mines through the use of a special mine detector. It is unclear if this refers to a mine detector recently taken in service or a new detector being under development.
The exercise was twofold with one group laying the mines with a second group tasked in finding and defusing them. [27]
Black Sea Fleet:
Marines and coastal defense units conducted a routing combat training exercise at Opuk, Angarsky and Kazachy on the Crimea Peninsula. Coastal defense units focused on firing exercises with T-72B3 main battle tanks and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers.
The marines trained in small arms fire with the use of AK-74 rifles and RPG-7V anti-tank rockets.
Firing took place against static and moving targets at ranges between 100 and 1.000 meters. [28]
