Russia unfolds large-scale naval exercise near Norwegian border

A video published by Na Strazhe Zapolyarya, a newspaper run by the Russian Navy, shows the cruiser Marshal Ustinov and the frigate Admiral Golovko in the Kola Bay, en route to the Barents Sea. Several minesweepers were accompanying the warships.

The exercise is part of scheduled training, the Northern Fleet reports. The aim is to "engage enemy naval formations."

As the warships left their home base of Severomorsk, three Bastion complexes were moved to launch positions on the Rybachii Peninsula. The mobile coastal defence and anti-ship missile system is designed to protect shorelines and uses supersonic P-800 Onyx missiles.

The Rybachii Peninsula is located about 90 km northwest of Murmansk and less than 50 km east of the border with Norway.

According to the Russian Navy, the exercise will take place over several days and will involve the defence of coastal infrastructure, garrisons, and maritime communications. It is also aimed at countering enemy naval task forces, as well as various types of modern robotic systems.

Naval aviation will also be involved in the training.

A warning to seafarers (PRIP) has been issued by the Murmansk Port Administration.

Possibly involved in the exercise is also the Nikolay Skosyrev, a vessel belonging to the Navy’s Hydrographic Service. The Nikolay Skosyrev is designed for hydrographic surveys and marine piloting in Arctic waters. On 29 July, the vessel could be spotted on online ship-tracking websites with a location on the Norwegian side of the maritime border.

Naval training on and around the Rybachii Peninsula is nothing new. In recent years, the Northern Fleet has regularly fired missiles and artillery just a few kilometres from the border with Norway. In April 2025, a similar exercise took place in the area. In September 2024, the Northern Fleet trained in the area as part of the Ocean-2024 exercise.