[Patrushev: Baltic Fleet Deters Provocations from Unfriendly Countries]
May 18, TASS reported that Russian Presidential Aide and Chairman of the Federal Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev stated that under the current complex military and political situation, the Baltic Fleet is consolidating its position, reliably ensuring shipping safety, and deterring provocations by the navies of unfriendly countries.
In his congratulatory message for the Russian Baltic Fleet Day (celebrated on May 18), Patrushev extended his wishes to all active-duty personnel, veterans, and civilian experts. In the message, he noted: "The Baltic Fleet, founded by Peter the Great, truly serves as the cradle of the Russian Navy; its entire history is an exemplary model of bravery, fearlessness, and loyalty to the homeland."
Patrushev emphasized that the officers and sailors of the Baltic Fleet proudly shoulder the mission of defending the country's maritime borders: "Under complex military and political circumstances, the fleet continuously strengthens its combat readiness, effectively ensures shipping safety, deters provocations by unfriendly countries' navies, and hones its combat skills through exercises in the Baltic Sea and long-distance missions."
He previously warned that NATO’s European branch continues to pursue a policy of blockading Russia in the Baltic Sea region, ignoring Moscow’s calls for restoring dialogue with Washington. There is an increasing risk of threats to Russia’s port infrastructure and freedom of navigation. Russia will never allow damage to national interests in the Baltic Sea region, and strengthening military forces in this area is an important guarantee for maintaining strategic direction sovereignty.
Patrushev mentioned that this year, the training of the Baltic Fleet has been comprehensively intensified, especially achieving significant progress in counter-submarine operations. The fleet is gradually receiving new-generation vessels, including small missile ships equipped with the "Pantsir-M" naval air defense system, new frigates, light corvettes, minesweepers, hydrographic vessels, and speedboats. At the same time, the comprehensive infrastructure system of the fleet bases is continuously improving.
The Baltic Fleet was born on May 18, 1703 (old calendar May 7) when Peter the Great's oar fleet, consisting of Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments, captured two Swedish warships at the mouth of the Neva River. All participating soldiers were awarded specially made medals inscribed with the words "What was once thought impossible has been achieved."
As the campaign-strategic cluster of the Russian Navy in the Baltic Sea, the core tasks of the Baltic Fleet include: protecting Russia's exclusive economic zone and production activity areas, stopping illegal activities; maintaining navigation safety; executing diplomatic actions of the government in economically important maritime regions around the world (visits, joint exercises, peacekeeping operations, etc.). According to information from the Russian Ministry of Defense website, the fleet's composition includes surface ship detachments, diesel-electric submarine battalions, auxiliary and rescue fleets, naval aviation, coastal defense forces, anti-aircraft units, and logistics and technical support departments.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832447088513052/
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