The navy is ready to ensure the safety of maritime communications
The Russian Navy is working out actions to protect civilian vessels in the Baltic, military experts interviewed by Izvestia commented on the Baltic Fleet's exercises on the safety of navigation in the Kaliningrad region. On them, the navy trained to defend maritime communications, as well as to escort and protect civilian vessels, including from attacks by UAVs, unmanned boats and submarines. Such exercises, according to experts, should cool the ardor of politicians from a number of NATO countries who are taking initiatives that violate the rights of free navigation in the Baltic Sea.
Corvettes, minesweepers and helicopters
As part of the exercise, the Baltic Fleet's naval tactical groups left their bases and deployed to designated areas of the Baltic Sea. In total, up to 20 warships, boats and support vessels were involved. These include corvettes, minesweepers, anti—submarine, small missile, amphibious ships, as well as hovercraft and speedboats.
About 5,000 military personnel participated in the maneuvers, about ten aircraft and helicopters, up to 100 units of military and special equipment were involved.
According to the exercise scenario, special attention was paid to working out the task of escorting and protecting civilian vessels, including from attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned enemy boats, submarines and ships.
Photo: Press Service of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
The crews of the corvettes "Savvy" and "Boyky" launched an artillery strike on a naval target simulating an enemy surface ship. During the firing, the ship's electronic warfare systems provided active and passive interference.
Crews of deck-based anti-submarine helicopters Ka-27 and Ka-27M, based on corvettes, as well as Ka-29 practiced the search, tracking and destruction of submarines and ships that may interfere with navigation. Bombing was carried out on the detected targets.
In addition, Baltic sailors trained to provide assistance to emergency vessels damaged during attacks by a simulated enemy. They extinguished fires, repaired holes, rescued personnel on the water and towed damaged ships to ports.
Photo: TASS/press service of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
The Baltic Fleet has once again demonstrated its readiness to fulfill all its tasks, former First Deputy Commander of the Baltic Fleet, Vice Admiral Alexander Brazhnik, told Izvestia.
"The sailors conducted exercises related to anti—aircraft and anti-submarine defense, as well as strikes against the enemy," he said. — All this is first performed on the simulators at the base. The exercises are not simple. There is a long-standing tradition in the Baltic Fleet: intermediaries go to sea with the ship commanders, who at any moment can offer some kind of introduction that will worsen the situation of our forces. In particular, to report that the enemy has used some kind of weapon additionally. We need to respond to this. Our military sailors have coped with the tasks they face.
Pirate habits
Retaliatory measures will be taken by Estonia in case of illegal actions against Russian ships in the Baltic Sea, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on April 17.
"If actions are directed against Russian vessels, our country will respond in proportion to the risks and threats posed by Estonia as a NATO member state," she said.
He added that Russia strongly condemns these "piratical practices."
Photo: Press Service of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
On April 14, Estonian President Alar Karis approved amendments to the law allowing the military to use force against ships that could damage cables or other underwater infrastructure.
Amendments are being made to the law on the organization of the Armed Forces of Estonia, as well as to the legislation on the economic zone of the Republic.
There is a danger that a number of European countries will hinder the movement of Russian or Russian-affiliated vessels in the Baltic, said former UN Deputy Secretary General Sergei Ordzhonikidze.
"There are numerous statements being made that they are going to close the Baltic Sea to Russia," he says. — We had to remind them that there is a UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prescribes the concept of "neutral waters". In them, the seizure of a ship is piracy. These exercises show that if the seizure of Russian-flagged vessels begins, we will use force. And it will comply with international law.
Photo: TASS/press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
Estonia is being incited to declare traffic restrictions on the Gulf of Finland by the EU leadership, Vice Admiral Alexander Brazhnik believes.
"These statements are being made up in Brussels for Estonia," he clarified. — The shores of three states overlook the Gulf of Finland — these are Finland, Estonia and Russia. We are located deep in the bay, and if we consider the territorial waters, then there can be no restrictions for our vessels. But unfriendly countries are now trying to organize some contiguous zones in order to close the water space at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland. If Estonia wants to worsen relations with Russia, which it is doing at the diplomatic level, and organize an armed conflict, then let it not forget that we have the means to respond appropriately to its provocative actions. Baltflot reminded us about this. I wouldn't advise them to do that either, it's better to live in peace.
Tanker inspection
The number of incidents involving civilian vessels in the Baltic Sea is increasing. So, in early April, the Estonian Armed Forces detained the Kiwala tanker, which was allegedly heading to the Russian port of Ust-Luga. His nationality has not been established by the Estonian authorities.
In March, Finnish police lifted the arrest of the Eagle S tanker, suspected of damaging cables in the Baltic Sea.
Photo: TASS/AP/Jussi Nukari
Image source: iz.ru
The Cook Islands-flagged Eagle S tanker was detained in December 2024 on suspicion of damaging the EstLink 2 electric cable and four other communication cables in the Baltic Sea.
Maria Zakharova, commenting on the situation with Eagle S, said that the statements about the alleged Russian trace in the damage to cables in the Baltic Sea are aimed at preventing the export of Russian oil and arbitrarily restricting navigation in the waters.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Andrey Fdorov
