Baltic Fleet Deployments - Wk 29/2021

Weekly Brief

Naval exercises were limited to the simulated launch of Kalibr cruise missiles by the Karakurt class corvette RFS Mytischchi as it was heading out to sea. The exercise is a break from normal missile exercises as it did not take place while the ship was fully at sea. Instead it took place while the vessel was heading through a narrow passage after just leaving port. Russian warships could be training to be ready for offensive operations from the moment they leave port.

New leadership in junior positions are being filled with around 130 young lieutenants joining the navy and coastal missile defense units at Kaliningrad. Additional training will take place the coming weeks in order to get these officers battle ready.

New frontline fighter aircraft will join the naval aviation in the near future as the Su-30SM2 will be replacing the Su-27 in at least two regiments.

Daily Events

July 20
Around 150 soldiers and 30 pieces of military equipment took part in a tank combat exercise at Kaliningrad. T-73B3M main battle tanks had to engage a simulated enemy in a swampy and forested environment. Firing of the main gun took place both when stationary and while on the move [1].

The Baltic Fleet Naval Aviation will receive the Su-30SM2 fighter aircraft in order to replace the aging Su-27. The units that will receive the Su-30SM2 are reported as the 689th Fighter Regiment and the 4th Guards Naval Assault Aviation Regiment [2] [3].

July 21
Around 600 servicemen assigned to reconnaissance units and scout formations are undergoing training at the Kaliningrad Region in order to improve their skills. This training will last for several months until early September. Currently, the soldiers involved are in forest and swampy terrain as well as near rivers. These scouts train to set up observation points, conduct ambushes, train in camouflage and silent movement and operate as platoons. Live-firing exercises are taking place on platoon and company level. [4].

July 22
Several young officers with the grade of Lieutenants have arrived at Baltiysk to take up their position in various military units. 50 of these officers are assigned to the surface and landing vessels of the Baltic Fleet with another 80 assigned to other formations such as the Bal and Bastion coastal missile defense batteries [5].

July 23
Over 100 servicemen assigned to an unidentified motorized rifle formation in Kaliningrad have completed their parachute training. Parachute jumps took place from Mi-8 helicopters at an altitude of 800 meters and with the use of the D-10 parachute systems [6].

July 24
Karakurt class corvette RFS Mytischchi performed electronic launches of her Kalibr-NK cruise missiles as a rehearsal of the Navy Day events on July 25. The target was a conventional coastal target at a distance of the Kaliningrad Sea Canal. Firing took place when the corvette was maneuvering through a narrow passage, a moment where most of the crew are assigned to ensure the safety of navigation. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the corvette successfully struck its target.
Later on, the RFS Mytischchi also held damage control and anti-sabotage exercises [7].

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