The last sentences of Russian submarines have caused great concern among the club's members Born. The focus is primarily on the submarine Kilo class “Ufa” (SSG-490), just entered Mediterranean Sea from the Strait of Gibraltar and escorted by the Russian Navy tugboat Sergei Balk. Far to the north, Ireland has been informed that Russia may deploy nuclear-powered submarines, warships and merchant fleets off the country's southern coast to test the Atlantic Alliance's defenses. In the meantime, Wladimir Putin inaugurated two new nuclear submarines this week, promising to boost Moscow's “military sea power.”
What is happening in the Mediterranean?
It is impossible not to start with the news about the Mediterranean. According to the Itamilradar website, the tug Sergei Balk accompanied the Kilo submarine through the Mediterranean basin Strait of Gibraltar. A submarine equipped, among other things, with Kalibr cruise missiles. As a reminder, no Russian submarines have been registered in the area since October 14 last year, when the Krasnodar crossed the same strait but in the opposite direction.
Now the situation has changed. The Russian pair of vehicles were monitored during their journey by NATO naval units, in particular a Portuguese unit that monitored possible threats as soon as the Russian units entered the area. Portuguese EEZ.
But what is a Russian submarine doing in the Mediterranean? It is unclear whether the Kremlin wildcard will remain in place as it is expected to be assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Therefore, there are two most likely hypotheses. First: It could be easy transit of the kiloIndian Ocean via Gibraltar and the Suez Canal. Secondly, the kilo could remain stationary for a certain period of time Tartusat the Russian military base in Syria.
Putin's submarines
Meanwhile, in the British media, a leading naval expert claimed that Russian submarines were lurking off the coast Irish coasts They signal that the Kremlin is preparing for a possible submarine conflict with the West. Chris Parry, a rear admiral who served in NATO and the British Royal Navy, was very clear. “This is all part of the preparation for war. Ireland has always been an open flank for the United Kingdom. It is an area where the Russians can hide and do the same things they are doing to Ukraine. They are also looking for British submarines,” he was quoted as saying by The Times newspaper.
Let's remember that at these latitudes we find this Celtic Sea, which is of significant geopolitical importance for Europe as it lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the European continent. In short, it is a strategic location for trade, security, communications and to maintain NATO's regional influence. The fiber optic cables that connect Europe to North America also cross the same sea.
Meanwhile, amid the freezing temperatures of the northern city SeverodvinskIn Russia, Putin praised the virtues of the Russian navy at a ceremony to inaugurate two new nuclear submarines. The means in question are mentioned Krasnoyarsk And Emperor Alexander IIIrepresent the pinnacle of Russian naval power and each serve a specific purpose. The Krasnoyarsk is part of the Yasen-M class of attack submarines, which can fire both cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles (which travel at speeds in excess of Mach-5, or 6,125 km/h). Its main purpose is to hit targets on land or hunt other submarines at sea. The Emperor Alexander III. is an elite Borei-A class submarine capable of firing nuclear missiles.