| Note: Stilted Language due to Google Translate artifacts |
The Russian strike group took up residence off Syria. This time, no carriers, but a concentration of ships among the most recent admitted to active duty in the Russian Navy. And for the most part, these units are capable of implementing Kalibr cruise missile fire.
Currently cruising off Syria is a group of 11 ships , including:
- the missile-launching ship Marshal Ustinov (Project 1164, Northern Fleet), which arrives from the Baltic Sea, and Kronstadt, where it took part at the end of July at the Feast of the Fleet. After nearly seven years in repair / modernization in Zvezdochka (Severodvinsk), he was reportedly given anti-ship missiles P-1000 Vulkan, a report recently broadcast on the Perviy Kanal chain vented the range of "1000 km" .. .
- the ASM Severomorsk battleship (Project 1155, Northern Fleet). This ship accompanies Marshal Ustinov . It can also be assumed that this group is escorted by an SSGN (Project 949A for example, such as K-266 Orel who also participated in the Fleet Festival off Kronstadt).
- escort Pytliviy (Project 1135M, Black Sea Fleet)
- the Admiral Grigorovicth frigates , Admiral Essen, Admiral Makarov (Project 11356M, Black Sea Fleet), the latter operating at the same time his rally to the Black Sea from the Baltic Sea, which she left on 18 August. These ships are equipped with Kalibr missiles.
- the small missile launchers Velikiy Ustiug, Grad Svyazhsk (Project 21631, Caspian fleet) and Vichniy Volochek (Project 21631, Black Sea Fleet), the latter having been paid to the fleet on 1 June. These ships are equipped with Kalibr missiles.
- the classic attack submarines B-268 Velikiy Novgorod and B-271 Kolpino (Project 0636.3, Black Sea Fleet), which are breaking a longevity record for their combat mission in the Mediterranean. These ships are equipped with Kalibr missiles.
What can be said about the composition of this group that completes a tanker, the Ivan Bubnov (Black Sea Fleet)?
- three naval formations are concerned: the Northern Fleet, the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Fleet,
- with 11 combat vessels, the number of ships in this group is in a high average , as this figure tends to be around 5 to 6, plus support ships ,
- of the 11 units, 8 are capable of firing Kalibr missiles, giving this group a powerful strike ability ,
- of the 11 units, 8 were admitted to active duty in the last 24 months ,
- in the event of strikes, it will be the "baptism of fire" for the small missile ship Vichniy Volochek , and the first operational mission in the Mediterranean for her sister ships which have arrived from the Caspian Sea.
What is the purpose of this deployment?
The Russian media highlight the desire to dissuade the United States to carry out new strikes against the Damascus regime. However, if that were to happen, we can assume that it would be "in good intelligence" with the Russians, as in April.