The Baltic Fleet’s press service confirmed that ships from the 22800 Karakurt and 21631 Buyan-M classes, both armed with Caliber cruise missiles, moved into the Baltic Sea for a scheduled exercise. This update from DEA News highlights the fleet’s ongoing focus on testing and showcasing its operational capabilities in the region. The missile-armed boats mark a routine yet crucial phase of comprehensive naval drills designed to prepare maritime forces for modern threats and complex missions across varying weather and sea states. The dispatch reflects a broader effort to assess command, control, and firepower integration among surface units during joint exercises in the Baltic theatre.
Observers noted that ships and craft based at the Baltic naval port set sail for the exercise, with small missile carriers Odintsovo, Zeleniy Dol, Sovetsk, and the missile boat Dimitrovgrad joining the maneuvers. The exercise stresses coordinated surface action and the ability to perform multiple tasks within a simulated combat environment. Sailors and officers will practice formation maneuvering, command and communications discipline, and the deployment of anti-ship and air-defense measures against a mock adversary, underscoring the fleet’s emphasis on readiness, responsiveness, and operational resilience during peacetime training regimes.
According to the exercise plan, the fleets will run a simulated battle against attack groups representing an opposing force, while also carrying out a suite of anti-ship and air-defense tasks. The drills aim to validate tactical doctrine and the effectiveness of weapon systems, including the integration of Caliber missiles with surface platforms. In these scenarios, commanders assess decision cycles, sensor fusion, and the rapid sharing of targeting information across ships, helicopters, and support units to maintain a cohesive response to evolving threats.
Earlier reports from December indicated that the Baltic Sea hosted state trials for the newest Storm-class small missile carrier, project 22800, equipped with the Pantsir-M air-defense system in addition to Caliber missiles. These tests are part of a phased program to introduce new platforms and weapons capabilities into operational service, expanding the fleet’s reach and demonstrating progress in coastal defense and maritime strike operations. The trials, while focused on system integration, also signal the fleet’s capacity to modernize its inventory while sustaining a strong presence in the Baltic region.
Previously, the Baltic Fleet’s press service announced the launch of large-scale exercises that would involve air units and coastal troops. The plan outlined participation by about 10 surface ships, boats, and auxiliary vessels, supported by more than 1,500 service members and over 50 units of equipment. These exercises aim to test joint readiness across maritime and coastal environments, including navigation, interdiction, search and rescue, and combined-arms interoperability. The activity reflects ongoing efforts to maintain high levels of preparedness and to demonstrate operational competence to national audiences and allied maritime partners.