Pacific Fleet - Winter Campaign 2021

 Daily Events

December 29
The task force, made up of the Slava class cruiser RFS Varyag, the Udaloy class destroyer RFS Admiral Tributs and the fleet tanker Boris Butoma departed the port of Vladivostok [1] [2]. The winter campaign will take place in Indian Ocean with a port visit scheduled at the Seychelles [3] [4]. 

Later during the day,  the Japanese Ministry of Defense reports that the task force was observed passing through the Strait of Tsushima [5] [6].

January 11
After having past through the Sea of Japan, East and South China Sea, the task force has passed through the Strait of Malacca and entered the Indian Ocean. The vessels are heading towards the Seychelles for a port visit that will coincide with the 105th anniversary of armored cruiser RFS Varyag arriving at the port of Victoria [7].

January 13
The task force arrived at the port of Cochin/Kochi in India for a port visit during which water and fuel supplies will be replenished [8]. All three vessels arrived during the morning for a two day port visit [9].

January 14
The task force departed the port of Kochi and is setting course to the Iranian port of Chabahar [9]. During their transit out of the port, the Russian vessels reportedly conducted a passage exercise (PASSEX) with Indian Navy warships [10].

January 18
The task force arrived at the Iranian port of Chahbahar. The vessels will resupply their fuel and water supplies. A joint naval exercise with both the Iranian and Chinese Navy will be planned [11].

January 20
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the Russian-Chinese-Iranian naval exercise CHIRU-2022 is being held in the Gulf of Oman between January 18th and 22nd [12].

January 21
The joint Russian-Chinese-Iranian naval exercise Chiru-2022 reportedly took place in the Golf of Oman and involved naval gunnery, joint maneuvering and search and rescue operations. The end phase of the exercise involved the liberation of a vessel that was seized by a group of pirates [13].

January 25
The task force held a joint naval exercise, Peaceful Sea 2022, together with a detachment of Chinese vessels led by the Type 052D destroyer Urumqi. Part of the exercise was the liberation of a vessel seized by pirates. The tanker Boris Butoma played the role of the vessel in distress. Another exercise involved the transfer of wounded sailors from the RFS Admiral Tributs to the Urumqi. The sailors were transported by the ship-borne Ka-27PS helicopter [14].

January 26
Slava class cruiser RFS Varyag and fleet oiler RFS Boris Butoma were spotted on commercial satellite imagery. Both vessels were seen in the base of the Gulf of Aden around 07:16 GMT. Both vessels headed west towards the Strait of Bab El Mandeb. The Udaloy class destroyer RFS Admiral Tributs was not spotted on the imagery [15].

February 02
All three vessels of the task force were observed inside the Suez Canal heading north towards the Mediterranean [16].

February 05
Udaloy class destroyer Admiral Tributs was visually observed leaving the port of Tartus, Syria [17].

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