Russian Navy - News and Analysis

Task Force composition As reported by OSINT on the morning of January 31 Weekly Brief Russian maritime forces in the Mediterranean are starting to shift forces towards the Indian Ocean for the AMAN2021 naval exercise in Pakistan in February. So far, only the frigate RFS Admiral Grigorovich and patrol vessel RFS Dmitry Rogachev have passed through the Suez Canal. It is expected, though not yet verified, that RFS Admiral Kasatonov and RFS Stoiky might also be joining the Pakistani naval exercise. The replenishment stop of RFS Stoiky and fleet oiler RFS Kola at Limassol could indicate a final preparation before heading towards the Indian Ocean. Naval activity has otherwise remained normal with two combat exercises that took place in the eastern Mediterranean during the beginning of the week. Daily events January 26 Stereguschy class corvette RFS Stoiky and Altay class replenishment oiler RFS Kola arrived at the port of Limassol, Cyprus at 09:20Z [ 1 ]. The vessels will replenish their sup

January 25 Large scale combat readiness exercises have started in the Kaliningrad region which involve over 3.000 servicemen and 300 pieces of military equipment. The exercises are part of a multi-stage training program with the initial phase focused on the actions taken by the various sub-units. Later stages involve large scale units on company and battalion levels in coordination with the naval aviation regiment and air defense crews. The combat readiness exercises are reported to occur on a weekly basis. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] January 26 The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the berthing infrastructure in the port of Baltiysk will be modernized and updated by the end of 2021. In total, over 3km of infrastructure will be modernized and allow for the anchorage of various surface vessels such as patrol ships, corvettes, frigates and destroyer. Communication equipment at 16 of the 20 berthing places have already been modernized with new cables for communication and pipes for water supply

January 19 Neustrashimyy class frigate RFs Yaroslav Mudry held an air defense exercise at the training ranges in the Baltic Fleet. Su-24 bomber aircraft and Ka-27 simulated enemy aircraft attacking the frigate. Air defense was provided with the main naval gun and close in weapon systems. [ 1 ] January 21 Tactical air exercises were held by the Baltic Fleet Naval Aviation regiment based at Kaliningrad. Su-27 and Su-30SM fighter aircraft practiced tactics needed in an combat situation against hostile aircraft. The exercise focused both on offensive and defensive tactics. The exercise took place above the Baltic Sea to avoid interfering with commercial air traffic. [ 2 ] [ 3 ]

Task Force  composition As reported by OSINT on the morning of January 24 Weekly brief Naval activity during this week was minimal with RFS Admiral Kasatonov conducting a port visit at Algiers before heading towards the eastern end of the Mediterranean. Steregushchy class corvette RFS Stoiky held a regular combat exercise against simulated surface and air targets on the 22nd. The exercise focused on defending against asymmetric threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles and fast attack craft.  Daily Events January 18 Gorshkov class frigate RFS Admiral Kasatonov and rescue tug Nikolay Chiker arrived at the port of Algiers, Algeria for a three day visit which will last until January 20. During her stay, the frigate will replenish her supply of fresh water and food. This port visit is reported to be the first of several others which will take place across the Mediterranean. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The replenishment oiler RFS Kola is rumored to be also present in Algiers though no evidence was provided.

Task Force composition As reported by OSINT on the morning of January 17 Weekly Brief The Russian naval task force in the Mediterranean has been strengthened by the arrival of two warships, the Gorshkov class frigate RFS Admiral Kasatonov and the Bykov class patrol boat RFS Dmity Rogachev. This strengthening of the surface task force is only temporary, as both the RFS Admiral Kasatonov and RFS Stoiky are reported to be on a long distance voyage with deployments in the Indian Ocean. It is therefore possible that both RFS Admiral Kasatonov and RFS Stoiky, together with the oiler RFS Kola, will take part in the AMAN-2021 anti-piracy training exercise at Karachi, Pakistan in February. Submarine RFS Novorossiysk has left the Mediterranean and is currently underway to the Yantar shipyard in the Baltic Sea for repairs and modernization, leaving the RFS Stary Oshkol as the only submarine present in the Mediterranean. Type 636.6 improved Kilo class submarine RFS Krasnodar has completed her repa

Task force composition As reported by OSINT on the morning of January 10 General Events January 04 Baltic Fleet Altay class replenishment oiler RFS Kola was reported anchored in a position 26 miles north of the Port of Beni Saf, Algeria. [ 1 ] January 05 Rescue tug SB-738 Prof. Nikolay Maru was reported on a westbound course between Malta and Sicily at 0930Z [ 2 ]. The rescue tug is escorting a kilo class submarine, presumably the RFS Novorossiysk [ 3 ]. January 06 The Altay class replenishment oiler RFS Kola is at anchor at the Alidade Bank near the Algerian coast [ 4 ]. It appears that the vessel is awaiting a rendezvous with other warships. January 07 RFS Kola departed the anchorage at the Alidade Bank near the Algerian coast and headed on a course northeast, deeper into the Mediterranean. [ 5 ] January 08 RFS Kola is reported in a position 44 miles east of Melilla. The vessel is back on a western course towards the Strait of Gibraltar [ 6 ]. It is likely that the RFS Kola is waitin

January 01 Caspian Flotilla : The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the servicemen attached to the air assault battalion and reconnaissance units have completed their parachute training program during 2020. Each marine conducted at least 20 parachute jumps as part of their training program. In total, over 2.000 parachute jumps took place during 2020. The parachute jumps take place in full combat gear from Mi-8 transport helicopters. The heights are between 800 and 1.500 meters. In 2021, the Caspian Flotilla Naval Infantry will receive the modernized D-10 which allows for a total weight of 140 kilograms. This allows for heavier weapons or more ammunition to be carried by the air assault and reconnaissance units. [ 1 ] January 05 Caspian Flotilla: The Russian Military of Defense announced that 1.000 pieces of modern small arms have entered service in the Naval Infantry units of the Caspian Flotilla. The majority of these small arms are reported as AK-12 assault rifles and AGS-17