Posted on 12/22/2022 10:12:00 AM PST by marcusmaximus
Ukraine has pushed the Russian Navy into a largely passive stance in the Black Sea in recent months. This was in sharp contrast to the beginning of the war when they dominated the area.
In the past few days there has been a significant change in the pattern however. Today the Black Sea near Sebastopol was busy with submarines and warships.
Open sources, including analysis of Sentinel 2 satellite imagery from the European Space Agency, shows the increased activity. When the Sentinel 2 satellite passed over at 10:47 am local time there were a number of ships outside the harbor. These included a Kilo Class submarine which appeared to be returning to base.
Submarine Activity Four of Russia’s Improved-Kilo class submarines are currently based in the Black Sea. They are used to launch Kalibr cruise missiles against Ukraine. It appears that they now operate from Sevastopol when active for missile strikes, possibly to simplify reloading. And from the comparative safety of Novorossiysk when not.
The submarine is seen being escorted by a fast boat, likely a Raptor assault boat, and a helicopter, likely a Mi-8 Hip. These are to protect against Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), also known as maritime drones. Ukraine previously attacked ships with these on October 29 and while none were sunk, the Russian Navy takes the threat very seriously.
This level of activity has not been seen in weeks. Ships and submarines do still come and go, but the frequency has increased.
An Impending Military Operation? It is unclear why the Russian Navy has suddenly increased activity. -snip- Possibly it is a sign of Russia’s military reaction to President Zelensky’s visit to Washington. It is possible that we will see more Kalibr missile strikes.
(Excerpt) Read more at navalnews.com ...
ping
Does it include Russia’s one and only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, that has to be towed everywhere it goes, all the while belching black smoke?
No - its still undergoing “repairs” in the North.
Putins Burial at Sea ?
“One ping only!”
Funny you should ask, it was in the news:
A fire erupted Thursday aboard the Russian navy’s sole aircraft carrier while it was being refurbished in dry dock, but there were no reports of injuries, according to state-run media.
Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov, the flagship of the Russian navy, while it was in the dry dock in Murmansk in northwest Russia, the TASS news agency reported.
Could be Putin’s revenge if Ukraine sunk the Alrosa last Friday. It was the only Russian sub in the western Black Sea for a long while after Putin sent the other 3 subs back to Novorossiysk.
Several military strategists predicted a significant Russian offensive in the winter.
Last week, Putin was making threats to knock out all power in Western Ukraine before Dec 25.
Isn’t the left side of Forte 11’s track where Alrosa may have gone down?
Perhaps RU is prepping for a major cruise missile attack.
Thanks for the ping.
That recently caught fire while docked way up north.
Currently the Admiral Kuznetsov is on fire, burning stem to stern.
Guess this is the Russkies idea of a ‘’Yule Log’’.
If demented Joe thinks Putin is going to back down he is making a serious judgement error. Our woke, CRT military will get destroyed in combat in the Ukraine arena. Putin will use everything he has against the USA including nukes.
There’s also been an increase in US Navy activity, but it seems to be about mass issuance of skirts, lipstick, high heels and lingerie stolen by the FBI. And the females in the Navy are mad they aren’t included in the issuance.
their carrier caught fire yesterday.
No mention of the submarine Moskva?
Wait…our highly esteemed Senator Mitch McConnell said we destroyed Russia’s military without looosing a soldier? Are you SURE those are RUSSIAN ships? /s
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