Russia’s Northern Fleet drilled submarine hunt in Bering Strait
As they sailed throughout the shallow waters separating Russia and the U.S.A., the ships lined up in battle formation and engaged in anti-submarine training.
The group of at least eight ships from Russia’s Northern Fleet is returning home after their show of force in the Pacific Ocean at the same time as the ongoing Vostok-2018 exercise.
The ships have now sailed into the Chukchi Sea (Russian east-Arctic) and have course for Cape Vankarem, where they will bunker fuel and fresh water, the Northern Fleet press service informs. Nearby is the new and upgraded Navy base of Cape Shmidt.
When the ships sailed through the Bering Strait they lined up in battle formation and engaged in anti-submarine training. Sailing conditions in the area are difficult, the ship captains report. There is thick fog and the ships are all on high alert with regards to navigation security.
Landing drills
The fleet earlier this week conducted landing drills on the east coast of Chukotka peninsula. The exercise included coastal protection by soldiers from the Arctic Brigade. The soldiers had before the drills marched 270 km from Cape Vankarem.
Both the defensive and offensive parts in the drills actively applied drones to get intelligence data and tactical information, mil.ru reports.
As the Northern Fleet voyage towards the east started in early August, group of ships included anti-submarine vessel Vice-Admiral Kulakov, big landing ships Aleksandr Otrakovsky and Kondopoga, as well as icebreaker Ilya Muromets, tanker Sergey Osipov, tugboat Pamir, hydrographic research vessel Gorizont and crane ship KIL-143.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada’s defence minister says military upgrades part of plan to strengthen Arctic sovereignty, CBC News
Finland: Russia “would see enemies” if Finland joined NATO, president Niinistö tells German paper, YLE News
Norway: NATO sending more warships to Northern Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia flexes its military muscles with Arctic component of Vostok 2018 war games, Radio Canada International
Sweden: Sweden to buy U.S.-made Patriot air defence systems, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft west of Alaska, Radio Canada International
