Russia has redeployed the frigate *Admiral Kasatonov* from the Northern Fleet to the Baltic Sea, reports *Bild*, citing *Kieler Nachrichten*. According to Russian sources, the ship is capable of launching «Kalibr» and «Zircon» cruise missiles. Moscow has not explained the reasons for its redeployment, which is taking place against the backdrop of Vladimir Putin’s threats to European countries over actions taken against Russia’s shadow fleet.
Briefly about the main points
- «The *Admiral Kasatonov* has arrived in the Baltic Sea from the Russian Federation’s Northern Fleet.
- Russia claims that «Kalibr» and «Zircon» missiles could be launched from it.
- At the end of July, the destroyer *Admiral Levchenko* was also deployed to the Baltic.
- The expert sees Moscow’s threats as an attempt to raise the stakes in the face of Western pressure.
The frigate’s capabilities and its previous service
«The »Admiral Kasatonov« is an »Admiral Gorshkov«-class frigate, which entered service in 2020. According to Russian sources, it is capable of firing »Kalibr« and »Zircon’ cruise missiles.
Before heading for the Baltic Sea, the ship was deployed to guard and escort Russian cargo ships in the Mediterranean and the English Channel. *Bild* describes it as one of the most modern Russian warships to have been sent to the region.
The second Northern Fleet vessel in the region within a short space of time
At the end of July, Russia had already deployed the destroyer *Admiral Levchenko* to the Baltic Sea. The *Udaloy*-class vessel has been in service since 1988 and is over 160 metres long.
The destroyer was originally designed to combat submarines. It is equipped with air defence systems, torpedoes, naval artillery and on-board helicopters.
The Russian authorities have not provided any official explanation as to the reasons for the redeployment of the *Admiral Kasatonov*. At the same time, over the past few months, the Russian Federation has been making more active use of military vessels to escort tankers and cargo ships linked to its shadow fleet.
Moscow’s threats over investigations into the shadow fleet
A few days before the frigate arrived in the Baltic Sea Vladimir Putin threatened European countries «mirror measures» in response to inspections of vessels belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet. He described such inspections as «piracy and plunder». In the Bild article, the term «tit-for-tat measures» refers to Russia’s actions against European merchant vessels.
Maritime security expert Moritz Brake He urged people not to dismiss these statements as mere rhetoric. In his view, Moscow is seeking to create uncertainty and drive up the cost of Western measures against the shadow fleet. Brake also believes that Europe must not give the impression that such threats will be met with no response if they are followed by action.
