Russian Naval Infantry - March 2021

March 02

Pacific Fleet: 
Mortar units of the Pacific Fleet Naval Infantry are still attached to the anti-avalanche center of the Kamchatka Territory and ready to shell preventively shell avalanche-prone areas of the mountainous regions of Ust-Bolsheretsky and Elizovsky municipal areas, the area near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, as well as near the volcanoes Kozelsky, Vilyuchinsky, Koryaksky and Avachinsky [1]. Though not specifically mentioned, this unit might be using the 120mm 'Sani' mortar in order to shell avalanche prone mountain slopes as this weapon was previously mentioned during the deployment in February.

March 09

Pacific Fleet:
Cadets at the Marine Corps Faculty of the Far Eastern Higher Combined Arms and Command School (DVOKU), trained in retaking a vessel seized by irregular forces. Several assault groups trained in entering the vessel undetectably and retake control. Two assault teams took part in the exercise with the first creating a diversionary attack and drawing the attention of the irregular forces. This allowed the second team to enter the vessel [2]. 


March 11

Northern Fleet:
Servicemen of the reconnaissance units conducted a mountain training course in the Murmansk Region during which they trained in making knots, checked climbing equipment, adjusted safety systems and improved the technique of moving on rocky terrain. Movement on skis were trained as well during this course [3].

Baltic Fleet:
The Baltic Fleet trained in operating their landing craft near the port of Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad Region. Dyugon class landing craft were loaded with BTR-A APCs and departed to sea and headed towards selected landing beaches. During the transit, the landing crafts engaged simulated targets before disembarking the BTRs in front of the coast [4].

March 15

Pacific Fleet:
TVZvezda reports on a training exercise held by the naval infantry cadets at the Far Eastern Higher Combined Arms Command School (DVOKU). The exercise involved retaking a vessel captured by terrorists and rescue the captured crew. It appears from the video made by TVZvezda that the exercise in question is the same as the one as reported on March 09 [5].

March 17

Pacific Fleet:
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that servicemen of the brigades stationed at Primorsky and Kamchatka were involved in training for the "Amphibious Assault - 2021" competition which will be held on the International Army Games during the summer. The training will last three days during which the marines have to overcome an obstacle course of 1200 meters, scouting a 4km route and holding a 9km race. The 31 best participants will form a combined team which will take part at the International Army Games [6].

March 23

Northern Fleet:
Servicemen in the reconnaissance units are learning on how to handle reindeer and dog sleds as part of a training session on how to survive in the Artic Region. The training took place a the village of Lovozero in the Murmansk Region [7].

Black Sea Fleet:
Around 200 servicement and ten BTR-82AMs took part in a training exercise which had them defending a coastal area against a hostile amphibious assault. The marines were tasked to march to the coastal zone and set up firing positions and minefields. The exercise also involved small arms firing and hand grenade training [8]

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