Ocean Shield 2023 - After action report

Summery

Following a three year hiatus, the Baltic Fleet once again held an Ocean-Shield exercise. Contrary to previous editions, the security situation for Russia in the Baltic Sea has changed significantly due to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Most countries in the Baltic are now on a hostile footing with Russia, compared to a more neutral stance in 2020 when the last Ocean Shield exercise took place. Also, al countries surrounding the Baltic Sea are now either part of NATO or in the process of joining NATO. 
Ocean Shield 2023 will thus have to take this new security situation in account.

Daily Events

August 2
The Russian Ministry of defense reported the start of the Ocean Shield 2023 naval exercise in the Baltic Sea. The exercise is held under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov and will involved around 30 warships, 20 support vessels and 30 aircraft of the naval aviation [1].

Altay class fleet oiler Yalyna is expected to make an out of area deployment to the North Sea. The vessel can support up to three Russian warships [2].

August 4
Minesweepers Alexander Obukhov and Pavel Khenov were reported at sea with both vessels operating together. The vessels were engaged in an air defense exercise, using their 30mm autocannons for defense. The next serial in this day of exercises involved CBRN protection exercises while at sea followed by defending the vessel against underwater sabotage teams while anchored at a roadstead [3].

August 9
Parachim class anti-submarine corvettes Urengoy and Zelenodolsk formed a task group and operated together in an exercise involving searching for submarines. Both vessels will also lay minefields and hold gunnery exercises against sea and aerial targets [4].

August 16
Steregushchy class corvette Boiky conducted anti-submarine exercises in the Baltic Sea. The exercise involved the deployment of the ship borne Ka-27 helicopter. The exercise was followed by electronic launches of Uran anti-ship missiles against a simulated enemy surface task force. The series of exercises was finished with the conclusion of an air defense exercise [5].

Popular posts from this blog

Russian Naval deployments during the Ukraine War

Image
March 17, 2022 At least six Russian warships were observed near Odessa. The warships maintained their distance and operated on the horizon. March 16, 2022 Several vessels entered the port of Sevastopol including the patrol vessel Vasily Bykov. The Bykov was rumored to be struck and sunk by a Ukrainian grad MLRS barrage near Odessa on March 07 dough this was never officially confirmed.  The visual confirmation of the vessel entering the port of Sevastopol undamaged indicates that if an MLRS attack took place, it did not struck the Bykov. Ropucha class landing vessel Kondopoga of the northern fleet allegedly also entered the port of Sevastopol. March 15, 2022 Several Russian warships and landing ships were spotted on commercial satellite imagery during the morning hours. The vessels were heading in the direction of Odessa.  The vessel leading the formation of landing ships appears to be minesweeper with her sweeping array deployed. During the evening, around 90 missiles were reported fir
Read more

Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk20/2024

Image
Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of May-18 Weekly Brief A significant reduction in combat strength took place with the departure of Northern and Baltic Fleet warships as well as the Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo. This leaves the task force reduced to a detachment of the Pacific Fleet and the frigate Admiral Grigorovich.  The departure also included the two amphibious landing vessels, thus resulting in an end to maritime weapon shipments for Russian mercenary forces stationed in Libya. Daily Events May 11 Civilian oil tanker Okeansky Prospect entered the Mediterranean during the afternoon via the Strait of Gibraltar [ 1 ]. Weapons runner Sparta IV was anchored near Malta and would stay there until May 13th. Frigate Admiral Grigorovich was observed sailing near Sparta IV [ 2 ]. May 12 Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov was observed entering the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar at 10.45 local time [ 3 ]. Russian oil tanker Vladimir Mon
Read more

Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk36/2024

Image
Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Sep-07 Weekly Brief Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin, most likely escorted by the frigate Neustrashimy, unexpectedly departed the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. Their destination was not reported though several Russian interests are present in the region such as Sudan, Yemen and Iran. A long term Indian Ocean deployment appears to be unlikely since these deployments are almost always handled by vessels of Russia's Pacific Fleet. Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk has been closing in on the Strait of Gibraltar. The submarine and her escorts could be entering the Mediterranean in Week 37. Daily Events September 02 Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin is reported 120 to 140 nautical miles from the entrance of the Suez Canal. The vessel is escorted by an unidentified frigate [ 1 ]. September 03 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, frigate Admiral Grigorovich, Stere
Read more