Northern Fleet frigate exercises in Baltic Sea
The Admiral Kasatonov plays a key role in this week's Russian drills in the Nordic-Baltic region.
According to the Russian defence ministry, there are 20 warships involved in the ongoing exercise. Among them is the Serpukhov, a missile corvette that was sabotaged by Ukrainian special services in April 2024. The operation was branded as Rybalka and was reportedly carried out by Ukrainian intelligence service together with the Freedom of Russia Legion.
A fire broke out on board the small missile ship, and significant damage was inflicted, Ukrainian authorities said.
Involved in this week's drills is also the Admiral Kasatonov, the new frigate that was included in the Northern Fleet in year 2020.
In a clear attempt to intimidate neighbouring countries in the region, the Russian navy reminds that the Admiral Kasatonov is a carrier of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile, which is "capable of making precision strikes against object on a more than 1,000 km range."
"The special feature of these missiles are their ability to overcome any modern and future air defence systems," the navy press office claims.
Nevertheless, the Ukrainian Armed Forces say that they actually are able to intercept the Tsirkon with the use of the SAMP/T and Patriot systems.
A video distributed by the Russian navy shows the Admiral Kasatonov sailing in the Baltic Sea together with other naval vessels. It also shows a Bal coastal missile defence complex being deployed and fighter jets taking off from regional air bases.
The footage shows no actual firing of missiles.
It is nothing new that Russia's Northern Fleet exercises together with the Baltic Fleet. It is also common that Northern Fleet vessels take part in the annual July 27 Navy Day parade in St.Petersburg.
In late June 2021, three of the largest warships in the Northern Fleet sailed to the Baltic Sea as part of a joint exercise with the Baltic Fleet.
The Admiral Kasatonov is part of Russia's new fleet of frigates. It was commissioned in 2020 and is based in the Kola Peninsula along with sister vessels Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Golovko. As Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022, the Admiral Kasatonov spent months in the Mediterranean Sea as part of a special naval task force.
