Naval News – The Russian Navy recently concluded a fleet wide naval exercise, with the exception of the Black Sea Fleet, called July Storm. The exercise took place between July 23-27 and included a notable event during with the deployment of two new Russian unmanned surface vessels (USVs) that engaged and destroyed a floating surface target.

The Barents Observer – Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov has be under repair at shipyard No. 35 in Murmansk since 2017. Now, the infamous carrier may be scrapped once and forever, according to newspaper Izvestia.

Barents Observer – Preparations for the Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg were stopped earlier this week, allegedly for security concerns, Fontanka reports.

Navy Lookout – A surfaced Russian submarine transiting through the English Channel has once again prompted a coordinated monitoring effort by the RN. The operation comes as the Russians manage to retain a naval presence in the Mediterranean, following the loss of their base in Syria.

The Tube – On Thursday, the Russian frigate “Admiral Grigorovitch”, belonging to the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy, officially docked at Oran Port, in northwestern Algeria. The arrival of the warship marks a significant step in the framework of ongoing bilateral military cooperation between Algeria and the Russian Federation, as stated by the Algerian Ministry of National Defence.

(Thanks to Alain)

BMPD – The ceremony of simultaneous laying for the Russian Navy of two large landing ships of the modified project 11711 “Vladimir Andreev” (factory number 303) and “Vasily Trushin” (factory number 304) took place at the PSZ “Yantar” in Kaliningrad on April 23, 2019, but their construction, as usual, turned into a long-term construction. Initially, the delivery of the new BDK “Vladimir Andreev” and “Vasily Trushin” was scheduled for 2023 and 2024. During the descent of the lead ship, it was announced that 2026 is now considered to be the term of commissioning of the lead ship.

(In Russian)

(Thanks to Alain)

ERR.EE – Russian naval vessels in late April stole a wave measuring buoy created and operated by Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) from its location off the island of Hiiumaa.

(Thanks to Alain)

Defense News – Russia’s detention of a Greek-owned ship that departed from Estonia – days after Estonian forces tried to intercept a Russia-bound tanker – signals Moscow’s willingness to deploy military power more overtly to protect its shadow-fleet, a vital pillar of its war economy, experts say.

CNN – Until last week, a secretive fleet of ships ferrying Russian oil around the world showed no clear links to the Kremlin. That changed when, in a dramatic escalation, Russia used a fighter jet in an apparent effort to protect one of the tankers thought to be in the fleet.

The Barents Observer – Few weeks after it returned to service after a comprehensive reconstruction, warship Severomorsk takes part in an anti-submarine exercise.

The Barents Observer – The Northern Fleet will with the new submarine significantly strengthen its role in Russia’s naval nuclear deterrence. The Knyaz Pozharsky carries up to 16 Bulava missiles, each armed with four to six nuclear warheads.

The War Zone – The Russian Navy is applying lessons learned from Ukraine’s multi-pronged drone campaigns to reinvent parts of its own force.

1945 – While Russia’s surface navy faces significant setbacks, particularly in the Black Sea, its submarine force remains a potent and advanced threat, led by the Yasen-M class nuclear-powered guided missile submarines (SSGNs).

Droxford Maritime – New Alexandrit class mine countermeasures vessels “Afanasiy Ivannikov” and “Polyarny” are scheduled to join the Russian Navy Northern Fleet late 2025.

(Thanks to Alain)

Navy Lookout – RN vessels have again been activated in the last two weeks to monitor increased Russian naval activity close to the UK.

Barents Observer – A strike group of Russian warships, including frigates, submarines and anti-submarine hunters, are currently conducting a series of exercises on the east of the maritime border with Norway.

RUSI – A long-term campaign to constrain Russia must go beyond thoughts of the threat from the North, and consider the influence of the Black Sea on Russia’s strategic and military position.

Droxford Maritime – As NATO enters the Easter break, a large-scale Russian Navy merchant ship protection exercise which began today could be the perfect cover for asymmetric activity.

(Thanks to Alain)

The War Zone – Work on the first Ivan Rogov class amphibious assault ship is ongoing at a shipyard Ukrainian forces have attacked in the past with long-range missiles.

Defense News – Following the withdrawal of Soviet submarines, military officials originally wanted to field 30 Yasen-class submarines and 14 strategic Borei-class boats. Putin’s announcement indicate a shift on objectives, with 10 copies to be built in each class.

Barents Observer – Built at the Admirality shipyard in St. Petersburg, the icebreaking patrol vessel sailed around the Baltics and Scandinavia in late March and arrived to the Northern Fleet’s main base on Monday.

MarineLink – Two tankers hit by U.S. sanctions are due to offload Russian Arctic Oil in Syria for the first time, days after Moscow made its first known delivery of diesel there in more than a decade.

(Thanks to Alain)

MarineLink – Germany seized a decrepit tanker found adrift off its northern coast in January that is believed to be part of a shadow fleet used by Russia to circumvent oil sanctions.

(Thanks to Alain)

Bulgarian Military – On Tuesday, the Russian Navy carried out military exercises in the Baltic Sea, involving about 10 ships, according to a statement from the Baltic Fleet’s press service reported by Interfax, a Russian news agency.

(Thanks to Alain)