Black Sea Fleet deployments-Wk49/2021

Weekly Brief

Several naval transits took place with the loaded landing vessel RFS Tsezar Kunikov heading towards Tartus, Syria, and the RFS Novocherkask heading into the Sea of Azov. Other vessels such as the RFS Sergei Kotov and RFS Cyclon are conducting regular training exercises and factory trails respectively.



Exercises and movements

December 06
The Naval Aviation regiment are holding combat exercises as part of the winter training program. The aircraft and helicopters train in engaging coastal and naval targets as well as search and track submarines and surface vessels. Around 20 aircraft take part in the training exercise, these include Su-30SM fighters, Su-24M bombers, Be-12, An-26 aircraft, Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters [1] [2].

December 07
Ropucha class LSTs RFS Tsezar Kunikov and RFS Novocherkassk embarked around 10 pieces of military equipment of the 810th NI Brigade and an unspecified amount of marines. The embarkation took place at Cossack Bay in Sevastopol. Both vessels departed the harbor and are headed towards the Opuk training ground [3]. Most likely an amphibious assault will be trained at Opuk.

A NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) training exercise was reported in the port of Sevastopol. Crews of large landing vessels, missile boats, anti-submarine vessels and minehunters were involved. The exercise dealt with treating the upper decks, weapon systems, internal areas and combat posts on board of these vessels [4].

December 08
Bykov class patrol vessel RFS Sergei Kotov held a naval gunner exercise at an unspecified location in the Black Sea but presumably near the naval base of Novorossiysk. The vessel fired her AK-176 naval gun, several large machine guns and the DP-65 anti-sabotage grenade launchers. The gunnery exercise is part of the factory trails [5].

Ropucha class LST RFS Tsezar Kunikov and rescue tug MB-304 passed through the Bosporus and headed towards the Mediterranean [6] [7] [8] [9]. It is unknown if the RFS Tsezar Kunikov is transporting a detachment of Naval Infantry that was involved in the embarkation exercise on December 07.

Tapir class landing vessel RFS Orsk has entered the Black Sea following a supply run to the Syrian port of Tartus, Syria. The vessel was visually spotted passing the Bosporus [10].

December 09
Rescue tug Epron held a salvation exercised aimed at refloating a vessel as part of the regular training program [11].

December 11
Karakurt class corvette RFS Cyclon moved from Novorossiysk towards Sevastopol where it will complete her sea trails [12] [13].

Ropucha class landing vessel RFS Novocherkassk passed through the Kerch Strait and headed into the Sea of Azov [14].

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