Russian Warships Conduct Drills in English Channel, Pass Through Soya Strait
Moscow, November 13, 2024 – Russia’s navalforces have been flexing their muscles in recent days, conducting drills in the English Channel and passing through the Soya Strait, a strategic waterway between Japan and Russia.
The Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet announced that the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, a 22350-class vessel equipped with the Zirconhypersonic missile, sailed through the English Channel on November 12th. The frigate, which departed from the Northern Fleet base in Severomorsk on November 2nd, conducted a range of drills during its passage, including air defense, anti-submarine warfare, helicopter rescue operations, and maneuvering to avoid simulated threats. The frigate also conducted an anti-terrorist exercise, simulating responses to unconventional targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles and boats.
The Zircon missile, which iscapable of flying at nine times the speed of sound and has a range of 900 kilometers, has been described as a key component of Russia’s hypersonic weapons arsenal. The presence of the Admiral Gorshkov in the English Channel, a strategically important waterway for maritime trade and military operations, has raised concernsamong Western nations.
Meanwhile, on November 11th, four Russian warships, including the Yasen-class attack submarine, passed through the Soya Strait, also known as the La Pérouse Strait. This marked the first time that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has confirmed the presence ofa Yasen-class submarine in service. The JMSDF deployed P3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft to monitor the Russian fleet’s passage. The Yasen-class submarine is considered one of Russia’s most advanced submarines, known for its low noise levels, deep diving capabilities, and diverse strike options.
TheRussian Navy’s activities in the English Channel and Soya Strait are seen as a demonstration of its military capabilities and a signal of its growing assertiveness in international waters. The drills and passages have raised tensions with Western nations, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
References:
- Russia’s’Zircon’ Missile-Armed Warship Passes Through English Channel
- Russian Warships Pass Through SoyaStrait, Japan Confirms Yasen-Class Submarine
- Russian Navy Conducts Drills in English Channel, Raising Concerns in the West
- Russia’s Northern Fleet News Service (Original source in Russian)
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