Convoy of Russian warships to approach British waters en route to Mediterranean

[MowCowWhoHow III]

Source: The Guardian

A fleet of Russian warships is heading towards the Mediterranean on a route past the British Isles in what is believed to be the country’s largest naval deployment since the cold war.

An MoD spokesman said: “When these ships near our waters we will man-mark them every step of the way. We will be watching as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe.”

It is not clear if the fleet will pass via the North Sea and Channel or west of Ireland. It includes the aircraft carrier the Admiral Kuznetsov, which is reported to be carrying fighter bombers and is accompanied by several other Russian vessels.

The convoy was photographed by the Norwegian military as it journeyed through nearby international waters on its way to Syria where it is thought they will participate in a final assault on the besieged city of Aleppo.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/19/convoy-of-russian-warships-on-route-past-british-isles

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Information on current Russian deployment. As reported earlier, Russia has deployed all of the Northern Fleet and some of its Baltic Fleet
https://twitter.com/DEFCONWS/status/788837330970775552

[Old Vet]

1. Makes one wonder why they are moving the entire northern fleet?

What the hell is Putin up to and whos chain is he trying to pull?

[Mongol-in-SD]

2. Its expensive to transport ordinance & ammo to Syria

So sending a fully stocked aircraft carrier & her battle group solves the supply issue while increasing effective fire power. Besides, this deployment is 3 battle groups (Kirov class cruisers) short of the Northern fleet.

[DK504]

9. but, but, but

But Pooty Poots is our friend and wants to get rid of ISIS too, he'd never assist a murderous bastard like Assad.

[EL34x4]

13. They're all murderous bastards.

There aren't any good guys in Syria. I really don't care what side Russia picks.

[Nitram]

17. Syrians who organized peaceful demonstrations against the Assad regime for...

...detention without trial, torture and murder are the good guys. In case you missed it, the Assad regime attacked these peaceful demonstrations with armed force, killing and arresting the protestors. When they fought back, that was the beginning of a civil war. The idea that there "are no good guys in Syria" is Russian propaganda designed to scare the West away. Of course, there are many fewer good guys now that millions have fled the country to become refugees.

[PersonNumber503602]

28. How many of those good guys are there though?

Assad is an asshole, but if Assad falls who will ultimately gain the most power in Syria?

I'm not cheerleading Russia or Assad, but do the pros of ousting Assad outweigh the cons? Yeah, it's awful for those who have suffered at Assad's hands, but how much more will/have suffered at the hands of ISIS and other Jihadist groups?

[Brother Buzz]

6. Not just the northern fleet, but they pulled significant numbers from the Baltic fleet, too

Go for broke!

[Baclava]

20. THIS IS WAR: Putin sends largest fleet of Russian ships since Cold War to Syria

The fleet, which is making its way into British waters, is carrying fighter bombers that are likely to reinforce a final assault on the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo in two weeks.

A senior NATO diplomat said: "They are deploying all of the Northern fleet and much of the Baltic fleet in the largest surface deployment since the end of the Cold War.

"This is not a friendly port call. In two weeks, we will see a crescendo of air attacks on Aleppo as part of Russia's strategy to declare victory there."

The Royal Navy is monitoring the warships including the sole Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov - the warship is thought to be carrying 15 Su-33 and MIG-29K jet fighters and over 10 Ka-52K, Ka-27 and -31 helicopters to support the Syrian army in eastern Aleppo - the nuclear powered Kirov Class Battlecruiser, Pyotr Velikiy and two Udaloy Class Destroyers, Vice Admiral Kulakov and Severomorsk which passed through Bergen, Norway today.









http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/723131/Vladimir-Putin-sends-largest-fleet-Russian-warships-Cold-War-Syria-Assad-English-Channel

[Brother Buzz]

21. The Admiral Kuznetsov was supposed to be off Syria in July, but never made it

I guess the finally got it fixed. Do we know what was busted?

[Baclava]

22. I don't know - it was due for a refit and overhaul next year

http://mil.today/2016/Navy6/

It must have passed sea trials after latest repairs


Russian Aircraft Carrier Laid Out for Airwing Drills Before Deployment in Mediterranean

Drills of the renewed air group will be continued onboard the carrier, including helicopters Ka-52K and fighter jets MiG-29K/KUB.

http://mil.today/2016/Exercises4/

[MBS]

14. " " " " " n/t

[MADem]

15. Quite a while ago, Vlad was fixing up a port facility he has in Syria.

He's planning on a forward deployment.

[red dog 1]

3. K&R

More saber-rattling by that war-monger Putin

[tcbrola]

5. Adm Kuznetsov Task Group

This group is composed of one Kuznetsov-class CV, one Kirov-class CGN Pyotr Veliky, two Udaloy DDGs Vice Admiral Kulakov and Severomorsk and several naval auxillaries (fleet tankers and repair ships). I expect the the Kuznetsov and the Kirov to experience engineering casualties in their propulsion plants since these ships have not been at sea for some years.

[Mongol-in-SD]

12. Both the Kuznetsov and Pyotr (the Great) are nuclear powered.

So its closed cycle steam turbine / direct transmission. Not much to worry about the running gear,..at least.

[Angleae]

25. Kuznetsov is not a nuke.

She has old-school boilers installed. The Kirovs are nuclear powered however, but they have have no end of problems with that powerplant.

[Sherman A1]

7. One can assume that they are likely being

shadowed by both US and UK submarines during this little excursion.

[Baclava]

29. A lot more than that are following them

War's a'comin!


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[EX500rider]

30. Dang, trying to remember the last time a US navy warship put out clouds of black smoke..

...not on purpose...

[Panich52]

8. To compliment anti-aircraft installation in Syria to shoot

down non-existent ISIS planes?

[Mongol-in-SD]

10. Nah...Naval Flankers (Su-27s) are surface attack platforms..

Kirov class cruisers are the backbone of the Russian cruise missile force..again ground attack capable.

[Rex]

11. LOL. Their lone aircraft carrier.

Are they towing it with all those other ships or does it run on its own power?

[Sunlei]

23. Assad will never be able to pay those lease bills.

[jrandom421]

27. The last time Russia sent units from the Northern and Baltic fleets abroad

It didn't end well for them

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tsushima