Russian Naval Infantry - July 2021
July 01
Black Sea Fleet
Tapir class landing ships RFS Orsk and RFS Saratov operated in the naval training ranges of the Black Sea Fleet and trained their capabilities in supporting amphibious landings with artillery fire. The training exercise saw both vessels engaging sea targets, simulated by target shield, air targets, simulated by Be-12 amphibious aircraft, and mock ups of floating mines [1] [2].
This training simulates the hostile environment a landing ship faces as it is moving towards the landing beach. During this transit phase,, the vessel is expected to be able to defend itself against naval and air attacks as well as being able to navigate through minefields.
July 02
Pacific Fleet
The warships which took part in the amphibious landing exercises near the Kuril Islands at the end of June are reported as heading back towards their naval bases. These include the Ropucha class landing vessels RFS Admiral Nevelskoy and RFS Peresvet. Escorting these vessels are the Nanuchka class missile ships RFS Razliv and RFS Smerch, Grisha class anti-submarine corvettes RFS Kholmsk and MPK-107 as well as minesweepers MT-264 and MT-265 [3].
July 06
Caspian Flotilla
Several marines, assigned to the air assault battalion and the reconnaissance units, preformed training jumps at an unspecified location in Dagestan. The marines used the Arbalet-2 parachute system during their jumps. The jumps took place from Mi-8AMTSh helicopters at an altitude of 3.000 meters and a distance of 5.000 meters from the objective. The marines jumped in full combat gear and trained to increase the range and accuracy of the drop. In total, over 1.000 parachute jumps are planned as part of the summer training program [4].
Northern Fleet
Around 50 marines trained in how to handle the BTR-80 APC in the water. The training took place at the Gryaznaya Bay of the Kola Bay and involved 16 pieces of military equipment. Training will continue for several days followed by joint exercises with the landing ship RFS Ivan Gren [5].
July 08
Caspian Flotilla
200 marines are deployed at the Scorpio training complex in Dagestan to start their amphibious assault training. Training is done with BTR-80 and BTR8-82A APCs and will see the marines practice tactical actions with the armored personnel carriers, learn to load on landing crafts both from the shore as afloat and train debarkations from a position afloat or directly on the coast [6].
July 10
Baltic Fleet
Around 50 BTR-82A crews are undergoing combat training in the Kaliningrad Region. The crews are training on how to drive and fire their vehicles on rough terrain and afloat. The training is divided in several stages, going from individual training to being part of a landing party [7].
July 14
Caspian Flotilla
The parachute training, which started on July 06, has entered its final phase. A first phase included theoretical study of the parachute systems, training on simulators and physical training to increase the joints and avoiding injury upon landing. During the second stage, each candidate had to conduct at least seven parachute jumps. For one out of five Marines taking part in this course, this was their first time jumping with parachutes.
Currently, around 100 marines are in the final phase during which they will jump daily from Mi-8AMTSh "Terminator" helicopters in full combat gear. Following the jump the Marines will fall for three seconds and stabilize themselves before manually opening the parachute. These jumps take place in various weather conditions, both during the day and night [8].
July 15
Caspian Flotilla
Over 500 servicemen and 100 pieces of military equipment were involved in a forced march to a combat area. The Marines had to work out the best routes to arrive in the combat area, using data obtained by reconnaissance units and unmanned aerial vehicles. The driver-mechanics of the armored vehicles had to learn to operate their vehicles as part of a convoy, overcoming obstacles, passage through settlements and movement through minefields. during the march, the convoy was attacked hostile forces and air attacks. Command units had to set up communications with their subunits in an environment where the enemy was conducting electronic warfare.
According to the Ministry of Defense, all units achieved their training goals in this exercise [9].
Northern Fleet:
Marines started training for the Navy Day celebrations by performing amphibious maneuvers in Gryaznaya Bay of the Kola Bay. At least six BTR-80A armored personnel carriers were seen moving through the water in a line ahead formation. The BTRs then entered the rear deck of an anchored Ropucha class LST only to debark back in the water through the front doors.
The Ropucha class LST was seen carrying the hull number 016, which corresponds to the hull number of the RFS Georgy Pobedonosets [10] [11].
July 16
Black Sea Fleet
Testing of the Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank is ongoing in the Black Sea Fleet with the first stage of the state test being completed. The first stage involved the testing the navigability at sea and the ability to be transported by large landing ships.
The second stage will involved firing the vehicles 125mm main gun and testing its effectiveness both on land as afloat in conditions up to sea state 3. The end of the state trails is expected at the start of 2020 [12].
July 17
Black Sea Fleet
A company sized element of conscripts from the Spring 2021 draft has completed their theoretical basic military training and has started practical training on the training grounds. This exercise is to last three days and will center on the basic skills needed on the battlefield such as first aid, making fires, disinfecting water, basic small arms training and grenade throwing. During the exercise, the recruits will have an encounter with tanks which will pass over their dug outs, only for the marines to stand up once the tank is passed and throw a grenade on the engine deck [13].
July 20
Pacific Fleet
Units of the Primorsky Naval Infantry Brigade at Vladivostok took part in an amphibious landing exercise at Cape Klerk in the Peter the Great Bay. Around 200 servicemen and 30 pieces of equipment were loaded on board of three Pacific Fleet Ropucha class landing ships. These vessels were identified as the Nikolay Vilkov, Peresvet and Admiral Nevelskoy.
The training started with embarkation of troops, BRT-82As and self-propelled artillery on the LSTs. Once at sea, joint maneuvering and communication exercises were held. Special attention was given during the landing phase on the interaction between vessels and hydrographic crews, ensuring the safe approach of the vessels to the shore [14].
July 26
Caspian Flotilla
200 marines assigned to engineering units and 30 pieces of military equipment were deployed on the Adanak training ground in Dagestan. Training took place on the squad and platoon levels and involved driving engineering equipment, conducting reconnaissance, detecting explosives and mines and detonating them.
Earth moving equipment such as the PZM-2 were deployed as well with their crews constructing trenches and command posts. Also deployed where the DZ-110 bulldozer, EOV-4421 excavator, KS-45719 truck crane and DZ-180 motor grader [15].
July 27
Pacific Fleet
Around 400 marines are at the Radygino training ground in Kamchatka in order to train with grenade launchers such as the RPG-7 and AGS-17. The training involves camouflage of the firing position, classification of targets, observation and aiming as well as estimating the distance and conducting firing exercises. Training is to take place both during the day and night [16].
July 28
Pacific Fleet
Several engineering units assigned to the Naval Infantry stationed in Kamchatka and Primorsky were marched to their training grounds for special and tactical exercises. The training will involved clearing paths through minefields, conduct reconnaissance and neutralize explosive devices. The engineers will also set up shelters, build fortifications and set up minefields during the training. In total, around 500 marines and 60 pieces of military equipment are deployed during these exercises which are going to last until mid-august [17].
July 29
Caspian Flotilla
At the Scorpion training complex in Dagestan, over 200 marines and 20 pieces of military equipment were deployed for amphibious assault training. The marines are driver-mechanics operating BTR-82A and BTR-70M armored personnel carriers. Training is focused on how to operate the APCs afloat. Training is currently focused on the individual performance but will in later stages include operating as part of a subunit in a more complex environment.
Aside from amphibious assault, the driver-mechanics are also schooled on how to perform maintenance and check the serviceability of the vehicle prior to being deployed afloat [18].
Following their 14-day long quarantine period, conscripts of the spring 2021 draft have started their training as part of the general training course. Around 100 recruits will undergo this basic training before taking the military oath [19].
July 30
Baltic Fleet
A battalion sized tactical training exercise was held on the Khmelevka training ground which involved 500 servicemen and 40 pieces of military equipment. During a first phase, marines mounted on BTR-82A vehicles engaged a simulated enemy which was landing on the coast of Kaliningrad. The marines engaged a forward element of the opposing forces and disrupted the landing.
A company sized unit was deployed during a second phase and engaged an column of hostile forces as it advance inland. This column was subsequently engaged from several dispersed positions. Air assault units in Mi-8 helicopters also took part in this engagement, engaging the enemy force with small arms fire and dismounting in full combat gear from altitudes between two to three meters [20].
Black Sea Fleet
Tactical exercises at the squad, platoon and company levels are taking place at the Crimea with marines engaging firing small arms and anti-tank systems. BTR-crews also train to spot targets with their vehicles, engaging targets with the vehicle mounted weapons, and driving over rough terrain. In total, over 1.000 marines are expected to take part in these kind of training exercises [21] [22].
Caspian Flotilla
An anti-amphibious defense exercise was held on the Adanak training ground in Dagestan which saw the deployment of 300 marines and 100 pieces of military equipment. The exercise focused mainly on the deployment of BTR-82A and BTR-70M vehicles with special attention given to range to target, the speed of advance and time to target. The vehicles also had to overcome several obstacles during this exercise [23].
