2024-09-13 22:21:08
The Russians were supposed to exaggerate the number of their vessels in the ongoing military exercises. According to the Russian investigative website Agency, experts estimate that the active Russian fleet is almost half that size. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the exercises are to test the combat capability of the units and the use of modern and highly accurate weapons.
Russian aircraft and warships hunt submarines as part of the “Ocean 2024” naval exercise. | Video: Reuters
The Russians are conducting exercises called Ocean-2024 together with China in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, the Mediterranean, the Caspian Sea and the Baltic Sea until September 16. The Russian Defense Ministry said more than 400 Russian warships, submarines and support vessels, at least 125 military aircraft and more than 90,000 troops would take part.
The Russian Navy has been under attack throughout its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainians disabled some valuable Russian vessels and claimed responsibility for the sinking of the flagship Moskva. According to former Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk, his country has “wiped out” a third of Putin’s prized Black Sea fleet.
“A total of 265 units are in service in the active naval inventory. This total includes first-line vessels, but does not include smaller patrol vessels, auxiliary and reconnaissance submarines, and historic ceremonial types (vessels),” the Russian Navy said in its Global Naval Power Rankings for the year 2024. The agency also cited the Russianships.info project, which estimated that the Russian Navy has 299 ships and submarines.
The investigative website’s source said that after deducting the Black Sea Fleet, which is not participating, a little over 200 warships and submarines could theoretically go on the exercise.
“We see that the USA is trying at all costs to maintain its global military and political dominance, and for this purpose, using Ukraine, it is trying to cause a strategic defeat to our country. Russia must be prepared for any development of the situation, and our armed forces must ensure the reliable protection of sovereignty and national interests and repel any possible military aggression in any direction, including the oceanic and maritime zone,” added the Russian president at the start of the exercise.
Ukrainian pilot: Russians no longer have a single ship in Sevastopol. We are having a drone fight. (Full article with video here)
Ukraine is hiding a new weapon underground and in secret places. The Russians are also being ambushed by mock-ups | Video: Radio Free Europe