On September 12, two Russian Tu-22M3 bombers had been escorted over impartial waters for 5 hours till they reached a “notional enemy” and “hit” it. This occurred over the Baltic Sea through the Russian train “Ocean-2024,” wherein the Baltic Fleet’s deployed forces took half.
The Russian Ministry formally introduced the flight of the 2 bombers, noting their coaching mission. Based on Moscow, they had been escorted by Baltic Su-30SMs through the flight. “At sure phases of the route, the long-range bombers had been accompanied by fighter jets from overseas international locations,” the Kremlin acknowledged in an official launch.
Whereas the particular international locations that raised fighter jets to make sure their safety weren’t named, OSINT analysts imagine Finland could also be one in every of them. Thord Are Iversen instructed on X that Finland had taken its F/A-18C plane into the air. Russia emphasised that “All flights of Russian Aerospace Forces plane are carried out in strict accordance with worldwide guidelines for using airspace.”
“Ocean-2024” will run till September 16. Spearheaded by Admiral Alexander Moiseev, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, this train is pivotal for the operational and fight coaching of the Russian Armed Forces in 2024.
This grand maneuver options participation from over 40 warships, submarines, and numerous auxiliary vessels. Additionally concerned are greater than 120 plane and helicopters from the Naval and Aerospace Forces, working throughout the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, in addition to the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Seas. The train contains round 7,000 items of army {hardware} and particular gear, participating over 90,000 personnel.
The Russian Ministry of Protection states that “Ocean-2024” goals to check the readiness of Navy management in managing various drive teams inside their operational zones. This contains fixing advanced operational duties, using high-precision and fashionable weaponry, and enhancing cooperation with allied naval forces to handle joint maritime challenges.
If it’s confirmed {that a} Finnish F/A-18C escorted the 2 Russian bombers, it will mark a historic first. By no means earlier than has a Finnish F/A-18C actively monitored the actions and maneuvers of Russian Tu-22M3 pilots.
Nonetheless, Finnish F/A-18s have a historical past of intercepting and monitoring Russian plane close to their airspace, particularly amidst rising tensions between NATO and Russia. This isn’t an remoted incident. Situations just like the August 2022 occasion, the place two MiG-31 fighters crossed into Finnish airspace, spotlight the continued friction. The Finnish Air Drive regularly tracks Russian army plane, together with long-range bombers such because the Tu-22M, working within the Baltic Sea area.
Years in the past, such information won’t have drawn as a lot consideration. Nevertheless, the geopolitical panorama has considerably shifted over the previous week. Tensions between NATO and Russia surged after the U.S. and U.Okay. permitted Ukraine to make use of long-range missiles in opposition to targets inside Russia. Moscow perceived this transfer as a critical provocation. Russian officers, together with Vyacheslav Volodin, the Duma’s speaker, have accused Washington and London of changing into direct individuals within the battle. This improvement comes on the heels of Ukraine’s persistent requests for these missiles, just like the U.Okay.-supplied Storm Shadows, which provide far higher vary than beforehand deployed programs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned that such an authorization might immediate NATO right into a direct face-off with Russia, equating it to “being at warfare.” This potential escalation is especially worrisome because of Russia’s recurring hints at deploying nuclear weapons if it perceives a menace. The U.S. stays vigilant, fastidiously balancing its army assist for Ukraine whereas striving to keep away from additional escalation. That is particularly essential as Russia continues to bolster its army ties with Iran, additional complicating the scenario.
In a provocative transfer, Russia’s Tu-22M3 bombers not too long ago undertook a five-hour flight over the Baltic Sea, coming into impartial waters to simulate long-range strikes in opposition to doable adversaries. These bombers, outfitted with maritime strike capabilities, appeared to be training offensive operations, probably together with the deployment of air-launched cruise missiles in a battle situation.
The prolonged flight instances underscore the plane’s capability for endurance, enabling it to cowl huge distances without having to refuel. That is important for exerting affect and energy in contested areas just like the Baltic.
As well as, using these bombers alongside superior jets, like MiG-31s outfitted with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, signifies that Russia is getting ready for advanced, built-in operations involving numerous aerial property. This technique aligns with Russia’s broader purpose of bolstering strategic deterrence and readiness in a number of theaters, together with the Arctic, North Atlantic, and Baltic Seas. These maneuvers are a part of Russia’s steady efforts to exhibit its army presence and capabilities in important geostrategic areas.
The Tu-22M3 bombers boast spectacular long-range strike capabilities and are stationed at two pivotal air bases in Russia. Shaykovka Air Base, positioned in Kaluga Oblast, about 200 kilometers southwest of Moscow stands as a significant hub for long-range aviation forces. This base sees the common deployment of Tu-22M3 bombers for each coaching and operational missions.
One other essential web site is Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk Oblast, Siberia. Right here, the Pacific Fleet’s aviation part operates, with Tu-22M3 bombers able to cowl Russia’s jap areas, together with the expansive Pacific Ocean and Asia-Pacific theater. Positioning the Tu-22M3s at Belaya exemplifies Russia’s strategic attain, enabling energy projection throughout each European and Asian landscapes with the bombers’ intensive vary and flexibility.
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