A flotilla from Russia’s Northern Fleet has engaged in an exercise that included the simulated conquest of the remote New Siberian Islands.
The flotilla, which set out from Severomorsk on the Kola Peninsula in early September, conducted training with forces in Kotelny, a military base on the east Arctic archipelago.
The warships, led by the ice-class patrol vessel Ivan Papanin, played the role of an adversary aiming to take control of the islands, the Northern Fleet reported.
The forces in Kotelny defended themselves with their Bastion coastal defence missile system.
During the exercises, the Bastion system crews were deployed along the coast, where they conducted a simulated strike against a formation of ships, carrying out missile launches via computer simulation, the Navy reports. The crews of the coastal missile systems then carried out a reloading exercise, transferring missiles from a loading vehicle to the launcher.
In addition to the Ivan Papanin, the flotilla involved in the drills included the large landing ship Kondopoga, the tanker Sergey Osipov, and the rescue tug Pamir.
The drills were headed by Oleg Golubyev, a vice-admiral and deputy commander of the Northern Fleet.
This is not the first time that warships have sailed from Severomorsk on the Kola Peninsula to the east Arctic archipelago to train with forces in Kotelny.
Over the past decade, the Northern Fleet has sent a group of warships along the eastern part of the Northern Sea Route every autumn. This year, the expedition is reportedly focusing on maritime safety along the Northern Sea Route.
The military base in Kotelny in the New Siberian Islands was opened in late 2015. It includes an upgraded airfield and a 12,000-square-metre building complex. The trefoil-shaped Severny Klever reportedly has housing and administration facilities for more than 250 people.
In 2018, the forces on Kotelny showcased the Bastion air defence system, which had recently been deployed on the archipelago.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Arctic would be “flagship project” in proposed EU-Canada partnership, von der Leyen says, Eye on the Arctic
Denmark: Denmark to expand Arctic surveillance with purchase of long-range drones, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Finland completes 200km of fence along Russia border; 25 km stretch across Kainuu into Lapland, The Independent Barents Observer
Greenland: EU pledges €200M to Greenland hours before Trump posts map of island under U.S. flag, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Iceland to seek new security partnerships after voters reject EU accession talks, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway’s ambassador summoned to Moscow foreign ministry as wave of propaganda hits the headlines, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia’s hybrid attacks in focus as European leaders meet in Finnish Lapland, Yle News
Sweden: British, Swedish and American reconnaissance aircraft monitor Russia’s Kola Peninsula, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: White House releases U.S. Arctic strategy implementation plan, Eye on the Arctic
