The Baltic Fleet has welcomed a new addition to its mine countermeasures fleet, the Lev Chernavin, a naval minesweeper of project 12700 Alexandrite. The vessel has embarked on sea trials aimed at validating its performance and reliability under real-world conditions. This update is provided by the Directorate of Information and Mass Communications of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
According to official briefings, the mine defense ship departed from the Leningrad naval base in Kronstadt and set a course for the Gulf of Finland on November 10. During the initial phase of testing in the Baltic Sea, the ship will evaluate its minesweeping systems and related equipment. A dedicated reception team remains aboard to monitor operations alongside the crew, ensuring all shipboard systems and mechanisms function correctly during the trials.
The defense ministry noted that the factory sea trials successfully demonstrated the Lev Chernavin’s maneuverability and confirmed the stability and reliability of its power plant and navigation suites. These results indicate that key propulsion and control systems are performing as expected under dynamic sea conditions.
Following the completion of factory tests, the vessel is scheduled to proceed to state verification trials. Upon successful completion of these assessments, the Lev Chernavin will be officially transferred to the Baltic Fleet, reinforcing the region with advanced mine countermeasure capabilities.
In a broader regional context, remarks from regional leadership have underscored the ongoing emphasis on maritime security and capability development. The statement by the North Korean leadership, positioning its influence in Asia and beyond, is noted as part of the wider geopolitical backdrop against which naval modernization and strategic deterrence continue to evolve.