The Northern Fleet's Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak transits the Bosphorus on 9 February. (Yoruk Isik)

The Russian Navy has moved a detachment of six large landing ships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea where they will take part in naval exercises.

Three Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ships began their transit eastbound through the Bosphorus and into the Black Sea on the evening of 8 February, followed by two further Project 775s and a Project 11711 Ivan Gren-class landing ship the following evening.

The first trio consisted of Korolev, Minsk, and Kaliningrad of the Baltic Fleet's 71st Landing Ship Brigade (LSB), while the second group comprised Georgy Pobedonosets and Olenegorsky Gornyak (Project 775s), and Pyotr Morgunov of the Northern Fleet's Kola 121st LSB. All six ships had carried out a replenishment stop at Tartus naval base a few days earlier.

It is thought the ships will take part in amphibious assault exercises scheduled for 13 and 19 February in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea due to several navigation warnings Russia has put in place. This will be the largest Russian Navy amphibious capability seen in the Black Sea region since the 1990s.

Additionally, Russia has notified the Turkish authorities, as per the Montreux Convention, that a Project 636.3 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) transit will take place around 11February. This is expected to be the Black Sea fleet SSK Rostov Na Donu, which has been operational in the Mediterranean for some time.

While the six landing ships transited eastbound, the Project 1164 Slava-class cruiser Moskva departed Sevastopol on 8 February. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) made no official comment on the ship's departure or destination; however, a report in Russian media outlet Izvestia stated that the cruiser was heading to the Mediterranean to join the two other Slava-class ships that have recently arrived there: Marshal Ustinov and Varyag of the Northern and Pacific fleets respectively. This will be the first case of three Slava-class ships operating together.

Marshal Ustinov entered the Mediterranean on 7 February together with the Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate Admiral Kasatonov and Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Vitse Admiral Kulakov. Varyag transited the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean on 3 February and was photographed anchored off Tartus four days later together with Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Tributs and support tanker Boris Butoma. The Varyag group are now believed to have left the Tartus anchorage.

Two Baltic Fleet Project 20381 Steregushchiy-class corvettes, Soobrazitelny and Stoikiy, which departed Baltyisk on 24 January, transited back into the North Sea from the East Atlantic on 8 February escorted by the UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 Duke-class frigate HMS Argyll. It is not known whether their exercising is complete and they are returning to Baltyisk or whether they will continue in the North Sea. It is possible they will join up with two Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvettes, Odintsovo and Mytishchi, that have been carrying out anti-surface warfare tasks in the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits since the end of January. These have been closely monitored by NATO ships and maritime patrol aircraft. However, at the time of writing, the two Steregushchiy-class corvettes were transiting north off the coast of Scotland, east of Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Russian Navy ships often loiter in the Moray Firth, north of RAF Lossiemouth, and they could be heading to this location initially.

Elsewhere, exercises continue in the Barents Sea with multiple ships carrying out various anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures tasks. However, the Northern Fleet's Project 1144 Kirov-class cruiser Pyotr Velikiy has been observed in Severomorsk for the past week, rather than taking part in any further exercises following air defence tasks at the end of January.

The Russian MoD also announced a 20-ship exercise for the Pacific fleet in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk on 2 February, led by Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Panteleyev. The press release specifically mentioned Project 1914 Marshal Nedelin-class missile range ship Marshal Krylov, which hints to several missile firings taking place.

Also on 2 February, two Russian Navy Tu-142MK ‘Bear-F' anti-submarine aircraft carried out exercises in the North Atlantic. The were accompanied by two Russian Air Force Tu-95MS ‘Bear-H' bombers, an A-50 airborne early warning and control system aircraft, three IL-78 air-refuelers, and an unknown number of fighter escorts.

From press releases and photographs from the UK MoD, by the time the Tu-142s had arrived in the exercise area they appeared to have been on their own.

A report from Russian media outlet Zvezda taken from on board Marshal Ustinov on the same day contained a short video sequence that included imagery of the air defence radar with two aircraft tracks simulating an attack on the Northern Fleet group of ships. Although not confirmed in the report or video, it is highly likely this was the two Tu-142s.

The video also contained imagery of an RN Merlin helicopter that flew alongside the ships at a safe distance, and a P-8 MPA from an unknown operator. Both Royal Air Force and US Navy P-8s have been operating in the area from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and Keflavik in Iceland.

The Northern Fleet's Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak transits the Bosphorus on 9 February. (Yoruk Isik)

The Russian Navy has moved a detachment of six large landing ships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea where they will take part in naval exercises.

Three Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ships began their transit eastbound through the Bosphorus and into the Black Sea on the evening of 8 February, followed by two further Project 775s and a Project 11711 Ivan Gren-class landing ship the following evening.

The first trio consisted of Korolev, Minsk, and Kaliningrad of the Baltic Fleet's 71st Landing Ship Brigade (LSB), while the second group comprised Georgy Pobedonosets and Olenegorsky Gornyak (Project 775s), and Pyotr Morgunov of the Northern Fleet's Kola 121st LSB. All six ships had carried out a replenishment stop at Tartus naval base a few days earlier.

It is thought the ships will take part in amphibious assault exercises scheduled for 13 and 19 February in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea due to several navigation warnings Russia has put in place. This will be the largest Russian Navy amphibious capability seen in the Black Sea region since the 1990s.

Additionally, Russia has notified the Turkish authorities, as per the Montreux Convention, that a Project 636.3 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) transit will take place around 11February. This is expected to be the Black Sea fleet SSK Rostov Na Donu, which has been operational in the Mediterranean for some time.

While the six landing ships transited eastbound, the Project 1164 Slava-class cruiser Moskva departed Sevastopol on 8 February. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) made no official comment on the ship's departure or destination; however, a report in Russian media outlet Izvestia stated that the cruiser was heading to the Mediterranean to join the two other Slava-class ships that have recently arrived there: Marshal Ustinov and Varyag of the Northern and Pacific fleets respectively. This will be the first case of three Slava-class ships operating together.

Marshal Ustinov entered the Mediterranean on 7 February together with the Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate Admiral Kasatonov and Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Vitse Admiral Kulakov. Varyag transited the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean on 3 February and was photographed anchored off Tartus four days later together with Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Tributs and support tanker Boris Butoma. The Varyag group are now believed to have left the Tartus anchorage.

Two Baltic Fleet Project 20381 Steregushchiy-class corvettes, Soobrazitelny and Stoikiy, which departed Baltyisk on 24 January, transited back into the North Sea from the East Atlantic on 8 February escorted by the UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 Duke-class frigate HMS Argyll. It is not known whether their exercising is complete and they are returning to Baltyisk or whether they will continue in the North Sea. It is possible they will join up with two Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvettes, Odintsovo and Mytishchi, that have been carrying out anti-surface warfare tasks in the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits since the end of January. These have been closely monitored by NATO ships and maritime patrol aircraft. However, at the time of writing, the two Steregushchiy-class corvettes were transiting north off the coast of Scotland, east of Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Russian Navy ships often loiter in the Moray Firth, north of RAF Lossiemouth, and they could be heading to this location initially.

Elsewhere, exercises continue in the Barents Sea with multiple ships carrying out various anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures tasks. However, the Northern Fleet's Project 1144 Kirov-class cruiser Pyotr Velikiy has been observed in Severomorsk for the past week, rather than taking part in any further exercises following air defence tasks at the end of January.

The Russian MoD also announced a 20-ship exercise for the Pacific fleet in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk on 2 February, led by Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Panteleyev. The press release specifically mentioned Project 1914 Marshal Nedelin-class missile range ship Marshal Krylov, which hints to several missile firings taking place.

Also on 2 February, two Russian Navy Tu-142MK ‘Bear-F' anti-submarine aircraft carried out exercises in the North Atlantic. The were accompanied by two Russian Air Force Tu-95MS ‘Bear-H' bombers, an A-50 airborne early warning and control system aircraft, three IL-78 air-refuelers, and an unknown number of fighter escorts.

From press releases and photographs from the UK MoD, by the time the Tu-142s had arrived in the exercise area they appeared to have been on their own.

A report from Russian media outlet Zvezda taken from on board Marshal Ustinov on the same day contained a short video sequence that included imagery of the air defence radar with two aircraft tracks simulating an attack on the Northern Fleet group of ships. Although not confirmed in the report or video, it is highly likely this was the two Tu-142s.

The video also contained imagery of an RN Merlin helicopter that flew alongside the ships at a safe distance, and a P-8 MPA from an unknown operator. Both Royal Air Force and US Navy P-8s have been operating in the area from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and Keflavik in Iceland.

The Northern Fleet's Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak transits the Bosphorus on 9 February. (Yoruk Isik)

The Russian Navy has moved a detachment of six large landing ships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea where they will take part in naval exercises.

Three Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ships began their transit eastbound through the Bosphorus and into the Black Sea on the evening of 8 February, followed by two further Project 775s and a Project 11711 Ivan Gren-class landing ship the following evening.

The first trio consisted of Korolev, Minsk, and Kaliningrad of the Baltic Fleet's 71st Landing Ship Brigade (LSB), while the second group comprised Georgy Pobedonosets and Olenegorsky Gornyak (Project 775s), and Pyotr Morgunov of the Northern Fleet's Kola 121st LSB. All six ships had carried out a replenishment stop at Tartus naval base a few days earlier.

It is thought the ships will take part in amphibious assault exercises scheduled for 13 and 19 February in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea due to several navigation warnings Russia has put in place. This will be the largest Russian Navy amphibious capability seen in the Black Sea region since the 1990s.

Additionally, Russia has notified the Turkish authorities, as per the Montreux Convention, that a Project 636.3 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) transit will take place around 11February. This is expected to be the Black Sea fleet SSK Rostov Na Donu, which has been operational in the Mediterranean for some time.

While the six landing ships transited eastbound, the Project 1164 Slava-class cruiser Moskva departed Sevastopol on 8 February. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) made no official comment on the ship's departure or destination; however, a report in Russian media outlet Izvestia stated that the cruiser was heading to the Mediterranean to join the two other Slava-class ships that have recently arrived there: Marshal Ustinov and Varyag of the Northern and Pacific fleets respectively. This will be the first case of three Slava-class ships operating together.

Marshal Ustinov entered the Mediterranean on 7 February together with the Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate Admiral Kasatonov and Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Vitse Admiral Kulakov. Varyag transited the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean on 3 February and was photographed anchored off Tartus four days later together with Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Tributs and support tanker Boris Butoma. The Varyag group are now believed to have left the Tartus anchorage.

Two Baltic Fleet Project 20381 Steregushchiy-class corvettes, Soobrazitelny and Stoikiy, which departed Baltyisk on 24 January, transited back into the North Sea from the East Atlantic on 8 February escorted by the UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 Duke-class frigate HMS Argyll. It is not known whether their exercising is complete and they are returning to Baltyisk or whether they will continue in the North Sea. It is possible they will join up with two Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvettes, Odintsovo and Mytishchi, that have been carrying out anti-surface warfare tasks in the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits since the end of January. These have been closely monitored by NATO ships and maritime patrol aircraft. However, at the time of writing, the two Steregushchiy-class corvettes were transiting north off the coast of Scotland, east of Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Russian Navy ships often loiter in the Moray Firth, north of RAF Lossiemouth, and they could be heading to this location initially.

Elsewhere, exercises continue in the Barents Sea with multiple ships carrying out various anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures tasks. However, the Northern Fleet's Project 1144 Kirov-class cruiser Pyotr Velikiy has been observed in Severomorsk for the past week, rather than taking part in any further exercises following air defence tasks at the end of January.

The Russian MoD also announced a 20-ship exercise for the Pacific fleet in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk on 2 February, led by Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Panteleyev. The press release specifically mentioned Project 1914 Marshal Nedelin-class missile range ship Marshal Krylov, which hints to several missile firings taking place.

Also on 2 February, two Russian Navy Tu-142MK ‘Bear-F' anti-submarine aircraft carried out exercises in the North Atlantic. The were accompanied by two Russian Air Force Tu-95MS ‘Bear-H' bombers, an A-50 airborne early warning and control system aircraft, three IL-78 air-refuelers, and an unknown number of fighter escorts.

From press releases and photographs from the UK MoD, by the time the Tu-142s had arrived in the exercise area they appeared to have been on their own.

A report from Russian media outlet Zvezda taken from on board Marshal Ustinov on the same day contained a short video sequence that included imagery of the air defence radar with two aircraft tracks simulating an attack on the Northern Fleet group of ships. Although not confirmed in the report or video, it is highly likely this was the two Tu-142s.

The video also contained imagery of an RN Merlin helicopter that flew alongside the ships at a safe distance, and a P-8 MPA from an unknown operator. Both Royal Air Force and US Navy P-8s have been operating in the area from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and Keflavik in Iceland.

The Northern Fleet's Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak transits the Bosphorus on 9 February. (Yoruk Isik)

The Russian Navy has moved a detachment of six large landing ships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea where they will take part in naval exercises.

Three Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ships began their transit eastbound through the Bosphorus and into the Black Sea on the evening of 8 February, followed by two further Project 775s and a Project 11711 Ivan Gren-class landing ship the following evening.

The first trio consisted of Korolev, Minsk, and Kaliningrad of the Baltic Fleet's 71st Landing Ship Brigade (LSB), while the second group comprised Georgy Pobedonosets and Olenegorsky Gornyak (Project 775s), and Pyotr Morgunov of the Northern Fleet's Kola 121st LSB. All six ships had carried out a replenishment stop at Tartus naval base a few days earlier.

It is thought the ships will take part in amphibious assault exercises scheduled for 13 and 19 February in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea due to several navigation warnings Russia has put in place. This will be the largest Russian Navy amphibious capability seen in the Black Sea region since the 1990s.

Additionally, Russia has notified the Turkish authorities, as per the Montreux Convention, that a Project 636.3 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) transit will take place around 11February. This is expected to be the Black Sea fleet SSK Rostov Na Donu, which has been operational in the Mediterranean for some time.

While the six landing ships transited eastbound, the Project 1164 Slava-class cruiser Moskva departed Sevastopol on 8 February. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) made no official comment on the ship's departure or destination; however, a report in Russian media outlet Izvestia stated that the cruiser was heading to the Mediterranean to join the two other Slava-class ships that have recently arrived there: Marshal Ustinov and Varyag of the Northern and Pacific fleets respectively. This will be the first case of three Slava-class ships operating together.

Marshal Ustinov entered the Mediterranean on 7 February together with the Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate Admiral Kasatonov and Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Vitse Admiral Kulakov. Varyag transited the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean on 3 February and was photographed anchored off Tartus four days later together with Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Tributs and support tanker Boris Butoma. The Varyag group are now believed to have left the Tartus anchorage.

Two Baltic Fleet Project 20381 Steregushchiy-class corvettes, Soobrazitelny and Stoikiy, which departed Baltyisk on 24 January, transited back into the North Sea from the East Atlantic on 8 February escorted by the UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 Duke-class frigate HMS Argyll. It is not known whether their exercising is complete and they are returning to Baltyisk or whether they will continue in the North Sea. It is possible they will join up with two Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvettes, Odintsovo and Mytishchi, that have been carrying out anti-surface warfare tasks in the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits since the end of January. These have been closely monitored by NATO ships and maritime patrol aircraft. However, at the time of writing, the two Steregushchiy-class corvettes were transiting north off the coast of Scotland, east of Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Russian Navy ships often loiter in the Moray Firth, north of RAF Lossiemouth, and they could be heading to this location initially.

Elsewhere, exercises continue in the Barents Sea with multiple ships carrying out various anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures tasks. However, the Northern Fleet's Project 1144 Kirov-class cruiser Pyotr Velikiy has been observed in Severomorsk for the past week, rather than taking part in any further exercises following air defence tasks at the end of January.

The Russian MoD also announced a 20-ship exercise for the Pacific fleet in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk on 2 February, led by Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Panteleyev. The press release specifically mentioned Project 1914 Marshal Nedelin-class missile range ship Marshal Krylov, which hints to several missile firings taking place.

Also on 2 February, two Russian Navy Tu-142MK ‘Bear-F' anti-submarine aircraft carried out exercises in the North Atlantic. The were accompanied by two Russian Air Force Tu-95MS ‘Bear-H' bombers, an A-50 airborne early warning and control system aircraft, three IL-78 air-refuelers, and an unknown number of fighter escorts.

From press releases and photographs from the UK MoD, by the time the Tu-142s had arrived in the exercise area they appeared to have been on their own.

A report from Russian media outlet Zvezda taken from on board Marshal Ustinov on the same day contained a short video sequence that included imagery of the air defence radar with two aircraft tracks simulating an attack on the Northern Fleet group of ships. Although not confirmed in the report or video, it is highly likely this was the two Tu-142s.

The video also contained imagery of an RN Merlin helicopter that flew alongside the ships at a safe distance, and a P-8 MPA from an unknown operator. Both Royal Air Force and US Navy P-8s have been operating in the area from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and Keflavik in Iceland.

The Northern Fleet's Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak transits the Bosphorus on 9 February. (Yoruk Isik)

The Russian Navy has moved a detachment of six large landing ships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea where they will take part in naval exercises.

Three Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ships began their transit eastbound through the Bosphorus and into the Black Sea on the evening of 8 February, followed by two further Project 775s and a Project 11711 Ivan Gren-class landing ship the following evening.

The first trio consisted of Korolev, Minsk, and Kaliningrad of the Baltic Fleet's 71st Landing Ship Brigade (LSB), while the second group comprised Georgy Pobedonosets and Olenegorsky Gornyak (Project 775s), and Pyotr Morgunov of the Northern Fleet's Kola 121st LSB. All six ships had carried out a replenishment stop at Tartus naval base a few days earlier.

It is thought the ships will take part in amphibious assault exercises scheduled for 13 and 19 February in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea due to several navigation warnings Russia has put in place. This will be the largest Russian Navy amphibious capability seen in the Black Sea region since the 1990s.

Additionally, Russia has notified the Turkish authorities, as per the Montreux Convention, that a Project 636.3 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) transit will take place around 11February. This is expected to be the Black Sea fleet SSK Rostov Na Donu, which has been operational in the Mediterranean for some time.

While the six landing ships transited eastbound, the Project 1164 Slava-class cruiser Moskva departed Sevastopol on 8 February. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) made no official comment on the ship's departure or destination; however, a report in Russian media outlet Izvestia stated that the cruiser was heading to the Mediterranean to join the two other Slava-class ships that have recently arrived there: Marshal Ustinov and Varyag of the Northern and Pacific fleets respectively. This will be the first case of three Slava-class ships operating together.

Marshal Ustinov entered the Mediterranean on 7 February together with the Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate Admiral Kasatonov and Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Vitse Admiral Kulakov. Varyag transited the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean on 3 February and was photographed anchored off Tartus four days later together with Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Tributs and support tanker Boris Butoma. The Varyag group are now believed to have left the Tartus anchorage.

Two Baltic Fleet Project 20381 Steregushchiy-class corvettes, Soobrazitelny and Stoikiy, which departed Baltyisk on 24 January, transited back into the North Sea from the East Atlantic on 8 February escorted by the UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 Duke-class frigate HMS Argyll. It is not known whether their exercising is complete and they are returning to Baltyisk or whether they will continue in the North Sea. It is possible they will join up with two Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvettes, Odintsovo and Mytishchi, that have been carrying out anti-surface warfare tasks in the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits since the end of January. These have been closely monitored by NATO ships and maritime patrol aircraft. However, at the time of writing, the two Steregushchiy-class corvettes were transiting north off the coast of Scotland, east of Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Russian Navy ships often loiter in the Moray Firth, north of RAF Lossiemouth, and they could be heading to this location initially.

Elsewhere, exercises continue in the Barents Sea with multiple ships carrying out various anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures tasks. However, the Northern Fleet's Project 1144 Kirov-class cruiser Pyotr Velikiy has been observed in Severomorsk for the past week, rather than taking part in any further exercises following air defence tasks at the end of January.

The Russian MoD also announced a 20-ship exercise for the Pacific fleet in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk on 2 February, led by Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Panteleyev. The press release specifically mentioned Project 1914 Marshal Nedelin-class missile range ship Marshal Krylov, which hints to several missile firings taking place.

Also on 2 February, two Russian Navy Tu-142MK ‘Bear-F' anti-submarine aircraft carried out exercises in the North Atlantic. The were accompanied by two Russian Air Force Tu-95MS ‘Bear-H' bombers, an A-50 airborne early warning and control system aircraft, three IL-78 air-refuelers, and an unknown number of fighter escorts.

From press releases and photographs from the UK MoD, by the time the Tu-142s had arrived in the exercise area they appeared to have been on their own.

A report from Russian media outlet Zvezda taken from on board Marshal Ustinov on the same day contained a short video sequence that included imagery of the air defence radar with two aircraft tracks simulating an attack on the Northern Fleet group of ships. Although not confirmed in the report or video, it is highly likely this was the two Tu-142s.

The video also contained imagery of an RN Merlin helicopter that flew alongside the ships at a safe distance, and a P-8 MPA from an unknown operator. Both Royal Air Force and US Navy P-8s have been operating in the area from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and Keflavik in Iceland.

The Northern Fleet's Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak transits the Bosphorus on 9 February. (Yoruk Isik)

The Russian Navy has moved a detachment of six large landing ships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea where they will take part in naval exercises.

Three Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ships began their transit eastbound through the Bosphorus and into the Black Sea on the evening of 8 February, followed by two further Project 775s and a Project 11711 Ivan Gren-class landing ship the following evening.

The first trio consisted of Korolev, Minsk, and Kaliningrad of the Baltic Fleet's 71st Landing Ship Brigade (LSB), while the second group comprised Georgy Pobedonosets and Olenegorsky Gornyak (Project 775s), and Pyotr Morgunov of the Northern Fleet's Kola 121st LSB. All six ships had carried out a replenishment stop at Tartus naval base a few days earlier.

It is thought the ships will take part in amphibious assault exercises scheduled for 13 and 19 February in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea due to several navigation warnings Russia has put in place. This will be the largest Russian Navy amphibious capability seen in the Black Sea region since the 1990s.

Additionally, Russia has notified the Turkish authorities, as per the Montreux Convention, that a Project 636.3 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) transit will take place around 11February. This is expected to be the Black Sea fleet SSK Rostov Na Donu, which has been operational in the Mediterranean for some time.

While the six landing ships transited eastbound, the Project 1164 Slava-class cruiser Moskva departed Sevastopol on 8 February. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) made no official comment on the ship's departure or destination; however, a report in Russian media outlet Izvestia stated that the cruiser was heading to the Mediterranean to join the two other Slava-class ships that have recently arrived there: Marshal Ustinov and Varyag of the Northern and Pacific fleets respectively. This will be the first case of three Slava-class ships operating together.

Marshal Ustinov entered the Mediterranean on 7 February together with the Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate Admiral Kasatonov and Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Vitse Admiral Kulakov. Varyag transited the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean on 3 February and was photographed anchored off Tartus four days later together with Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Tributs and support tanker Boris Butoma. The Varyag group are now believed to have left the Tartus anchorage.

Two Baltic Fleet Project 20381 Steregushchiy-class corvettes, Soobrazitelny and Stoikiy, which departed Baltyisk on 24 January, transited back into the North Sea from the East Atlantic on 8 February escorted by the UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 Duke-class frigate HMS Argyll. It is not known whether their exercising is complete and they are returning to Baltyisk or whether they will continue in the North Sea. It is possible they will join up with two Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvettes, Odintsovo and Mytishchi, that have been carrying out anti-surface warfare tasks in the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits since the end of January. These have been closely monitored by NATO ships and maritime patrol aircraft. However, at the time of writing, the two Steregushchiy-class corvettes were transiting north off the coast of Scotland, east of Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Russian Navy ships often loiter in the Moray Firth, north of RAF Lossiemouth, and they could be heading to this location initially.

Elsewhere, exercises continue in the Barents Sea with multiple ships carrying out various anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures tasks. However, the Northern Fleet's Project 1144 Kirov-class cruiser Pyotr Velikiy has been observed in Severomorsk for the past week, rather than taking part in any further exercises following air defence tasks at the end of January.

The Russian MoD also announced a 20-ship exercise for the Pacific fleet in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk on 2 February, led by Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Panteleyev. The press release specifically mentioned Project 1914 Marshal Nedelin-class missile range ship Marshal Krylov, which hints to several missile firings taking place.

Also on 2 February, two Russian Navy Tu-142MK ‘Bear-F' anti-submarine aircraft carried out exercises in the North Atlantic. The were accompanied by two Russian Air Force Tu-95MS ‘Bear-H' bombers, an A-50 airborne early warning and control system aircraft, three IL-78 air-refuelers, and an unknown number of fighter escorts.

From press releases and photographs from the UK MoD, by the time the Tu-142s had arrived in the exercise area they appeared to have been on their own.

A report from Russian media outlet Zvezda taken from on board Marshal Ustinov on the same day contained a short video sequence that included imagery of the air defence radar with two aircraft tracks simulating an attack on the Northern Fleet group of ships. Although not confirmed in the report or video, it is highly likely this was the two Tu-142s.

The video also contained imagery of an RN Merlin helicopter that flew alongside the ships at a safe distance, and a P-8 MPA from an unknown operator. Both Royal Air Force and US Navy P-8s have been operating in the area from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and Keflavik in Iceland.