Patrushev: BF suppresses provocations of naval forces of unfriendly countries
MOSCOW, May 18 - RIA Novosti. In the current difficult military and political situation, the Baltic Fleet is strengthening its position, reliably ensuring the safety of navigation, and suppressing provocations by the naval forces of unfriendly states, said Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Collegium.
He congratulated all the personnel, veterans and civilian specialists of the Baltic Fleet on Sunday's celebration of the Day of the Russian Baltic Fleet.
"The Baltic Fleet, founded by Peter the Great, is rightfully considered the cradle of the Russian Navy, and its entire history is an example of heroism, courage, bravery and devotion to the Fatherland," the telegram says.
The Baltics are honourably fulfilling the tasks of protecting the maritime borders of their Homeland, Patrushev stressed. "In a difficult military and political situation, the navy continues to strengthen its positions, reliably ensures the safety of navigation, suppresses provocations by the naval forces of unfriendly states, and hones its skills during exercises in the Baltic and long-range voyages," he said.
The European wing of NATO continues to pursue its policy of blocking Russia in the Baltic region, neglecting the restoration of dialogue between Moscow and Washington, and there is a high probability of further increased threats to Russian port infrastructure and freedom of navigation, Patrushev noted earlier. But Moscow will not allow encroachment on its national interests in the Baltic, and strengthening Russia's military power in this region is the guarantor of its sovereignty in this strategic area, Patrushev emphasized.
The combat training of the BF is being activated in all qualitative parameters, the assistant to the head of state noted this year. Among other things, Patrushev noted the improvement of the Baltic Fleet's training in countering underwater sabotage forces. The BF continues to be equipped with new-generation ships, including small missile ships carrying a marine version of the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and cannon system. The fleet is replenished with new frigates, corvettes, anti-mine ships, hydrographic vessels and boats. The complex infrastructure for basing the fleet forces is developing, the presidential aide listed.
The Baltic Fleet's birthday is May 18 (May 7, Old style), 1703. On this day, a rowing flotilla with soldiers of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments under the command of Peter the Great won its first combat victory, capturing two Swedish warships at the mouth of the Neva River. The historical significance of that victory for Russia was emphasized by awarding all participants in the battle with specially made medals with the inscription "The unprecedented happens."
Currently, the Baltic Fleet is an operational and strategic association of the Russian Navy in the Baltic Sea. The main tasks of the Baltic Fleet are the protection of the economic zone of the Russian Federation and areas of industrial activity, the suppression of illegal industrial activities, ensuring the safety of navigation, and the implementation of foreign policy actions by the Russian government in economically important areas of the World Ocean (visits, business visits, joint exercises, actions as part of peacekeeping forces, etc.).
According to information on the website of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Baltic Fleet consists of a formation of surface ships, a division of diesel submarines, formations of auxiliary and search and rescue vessels, naval aviation of the fleet, coastal troops, air defense units, as well as logistical technical and special support.
