In the coming days, the Russian Navy will conduct Exercise Okean. This exercise involves the deployment of various assets to key regions in Europe and the Pacific, where joint and combined activities will be carried out, incluiding operations with the Chinese Navy in the Sea of Okhotsk, north of Japan. The situation requires the transit of several ships of the Russian naval force between regions. This is confirmed by the Royal Norwegian Navy, which deployed one of its Skjold-class stealth missile corvettes to monitor the navigation of a Baltic Fleet landing ship in the direction of the rendezvous point in the North Sea.
Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces Operations Headquarters (FOH), stated: “The Russian Navy has now begun Exercise Okean. The exercise increases activity from both the Northern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet in our nearby areas, and also includes long-range aircraft. We were prepared for this and have planned to monitor Russian movements together with our allies.”
Adding in the official statement from September 9th: “The Armed Forces always closely monitor the situation in our nearby areas. We maintain good control of the activity through our own operations and sensors, in addition to cooperation with allies. The situational awareness is ensured through presence and patrols on land, in the air, at sea, underwater, and among other methods, through space-based sensors.”
Regarding the deployment of assets, as evidenced by the released photographs, the Royal Norwegian Navy deployed the KNM “Storm,” one of its Skjold-class stealth corvettes. Although it is considered a missile boat due to its displacement (274 tons), the force officially classifies it as a corvette, equipped with powerful armament for its size, including eight NSM anti-ship missiles, a 76mm cannon, and Mistral anti-aircraft missiles.
The photographs taken yesterday indicate that the Russian Navy unit being tracked and monitored by the Storm is a Ropucha-class landing ship. More specifically, it is the Alexandr Shabalin (110) from the Baltic Fleet.
Lastly, President Vladimir Putin himself highlighted the conduct of these exercises in various regions of Europe and the Pacific, noting: “For the first time in the last three decades, we are conducting exercises of this scale at sea.” Starting today, September 10th, it is expected that 400 vessels, including military and support ships, submarines, 120 military aircraft, and 90,000 personnel will be deployed in regions ranging from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Sea of Japan, and the Arctic Ocean.
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