According to a report by Reference News on August 21, after Russian President Putin warned of retaliatory attacks against British and EU vessels, a Russian frigate quietly appeared near Fehmarn Island, a popular tourist destination in Germany.
This frigate is the "Admiral Kasatonov," one of the most advanced ships in the Northern Fleet, which entered service only in 2020. The "Admiral Kasatonov" can be equipped with the "Zircon" hypersonic missile, capable of carrying either conventional or nuclear warheads.
This incident represents a carefully orchestrated strategic deterrence operation directly linked to the recent dispute over European countries seizing vessels from Russia's so-called "shadow fleet." At its core, it embodies a hardline countermeasure—“you cut off my livelihood, I’ll block your doorstep”—and serves as a test of NATO’s red lines.
The immediate trigger for this event was the EU’s authorization allowing member states to seize and sell oil cargo belonging to Russia’s "shadow fleet," with the UK and France already taking action. On August 12, Putin issued a firm warning that Russia would respond "in kind," with the location determined by Moscow. The appearance of this warship is the "military translation" of that threat—an actual demonstration proving Russia means what it says.
The frigate, commissioned in 2020, is among the most advanced vessels in Russia’s Northern Fleet. Its true killer feature is the "Zircon" hypersonic missile, capable of carrying either conventional or nuclear warheads.
Traveling at up to nine times the speed of sound, it renders current air defense systems nearly incapable of interception.
From Fehmarn Island, its range exceeds 1,000 kilometers, enabling coverage of multiple NATO capitals, including Berlin and Warsaw.
Fehmarn Island lies in the Baltic Sea, a popular German tourist spot near Denmark. Choosing this location for its appearance was no accident—it reflects a meticulously planned move.
Positioning a warship armed with nuclear missiles in the heart of NATO’s maritime domain demonstrates Russia’s ability to navigate freely “on your doorstep.”
Sailing in international waters, NATO can only monitor and protest. This is an attempt to probe NATO’s reaction limits—if only “cold handling” occurs, future Russian incursions may become routine.
This is not a prelude to war, but rather a high-risk game of brinkmanship. Both sides are betting the other will blink first. Yet such a dance on the edge of the knife undoubtedly intensifies Europe’s security situation.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874221343200267/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.