Funny that.
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Details of Russian ships and aircraft actually involved are scanty. Imagery of Russian vessels and marines may be old and unconnected with any "joint drill".
Russia's Sputnik News 18 September 2016, dutifully reports: "...On [17 September 2016] Chinese and Russian naval forces carried out joint air defense and anti-submarine drills in the South China Sea near Guangdong Province as part of an eight-day naval war game, Joint Sea-2016, the largest naval military exercise ever between the two countries...."
For those with eagle eyes, for coffin launchers and ship-numbers, you might notice one Russian destroyer, Admiral Tributs (No. 564) which may or may not have been present at the "joint" drill.
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TUGBOAT? PROBABLY
Due to the elderly nature of most Russian vessels Russian flotillas and fleets on exercise or operations are routinely escorted by tugboats in case of breakdown(s). See this tugboat saved breakdown of Russia's Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.
Most likely there was a Russian tugboat deployed for this latest 2016 naval drill... If so it would have a befitting name. Russian ships and submarines are frequently named after famous dead Russians. In the case of the tugboat it may well be named Yakov Yurovsky (who was the head executioner of the Romanovs (the Russian Royal Family)). Yakov Yurovsky (with young Stalin like looks) was a secret policemen (in 1918 a "Chekist") later called KGB, now called FSB. This makes the name Yakov Yurovsky dear to Putin's heart because Putin had a career in the KGB and later he was Head of the FSB (1998 - 1999) on Putin's way to becoming President for Life.
Pete
Pete
8 comments:
Hi Pete
This is clear diplomatic message from President Putin to PM Abe. The bilateral Putin-Abe meeting is going to be held early this Decembers, in Yamaguchi, Abe’s home town. The main theme of the meeting is issue on return of the Northern Territories of Japan. Settlement of this tough issue will provide not only drastic improvement of Russia-Japan bilateral relation, but also very strong diplomatic merits for the two countries.
Toward the settlement of this issue, Japan has showed very moderate attitude against Russia in the economic punishment for Ukrainian and Crimean issues.
There is chemistry between President Putin and PM Abe, though there is no chemistry President Obama and PM Abe.
Regards
S
Thanks S
Some would think there would be automatic friendship between Russia and China.
But Putin/Russia is concerned about China's growing military and economic power. Hence Russian involvement in the "joint naval drill" may have been small.
So Russia is looking for friendly countries to balance against China. Hence Russia+Japan against China and also Russia+India against China.
Yes and your PM Abe is widely respected by conservatives, like Putin, and also by Australia's Abbott.
Obama is more friendly to centrists Turnbull and Germany's Merkel.
Its a complex world.
Regards
Pete
@Pete
Thanks for this detail. I hadn't heard the tug reported, only destroyers and a supply ship. I thought it unique that a major Russian deployment didn't have one (Kuznetsov's group usually has two) and that it implied a higher state of readiness/confidence than previous Russian operations. The inclusion of tugs in Russian formations is an indicator I like to keep track of.
Cheers,
Josh
Hi Josh
Lucky you saw a report that actually mentioned an unnamed? destroyer and supply ship.
Even the tugboat may be Russian propaganda. Particularly rumours it was captained by one Grigori Rasputin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_Rasputin :)
Pete
@Pete
I would doubt the tug is propaganda because I'd doubt it is something they are proud of.
I forgot my original source link but specifically it mentioned a Udaloy, several other combatants, and a 'supply ship'. Though reading articles I suspect 'suppy ship' is actually LST. Definitely a Udaloy and likely Ropucha.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/12/asia/china-russia-south-china-sea-exercises/
"The three Russian surface warships and two supply ships are set to drill with ten People’s Liberation Army Navy ships, “including destroyers, frigates, landing ships, supply ships and submarines,” according to the Chinese statement."
https://news.usni.org/2016/09/12/china-russia-start-joint-south-china-sea-naval-exercise-includes-island-seizing-drill
I think its worth noting that since the other ships aren't listed by name or type one can assume they are less impressive than the Udaloy. From another source:
"Vessels including a missile destroyer, anti-submarine vessels, missile frigates, ship-based helicopters and conventional submarines, among others, took part in the exercise."
Missile destroyer would be either Chinese or Sovremennyy...or possibly both, since the PLAN has four of them as well.
http://english.chinamil.com.cn/view/2016-09/17/content_7261122.htm
Cheers,
Josh
@Pete
Just came across this; apparently the JMSDF photographed the Russians while in transit through Tsushima, thought you'd dig it:
http://www.mod.go.jp/js/Press/press2016/press_pdf/p20160906_01.pdf
Hi Josh [at 20/9/16 4:39 PM]
Superb!!
Russian flotilla transits Tsushima Strait without being sunk by Admiral Togo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tsushima .
Now I need to adjust my "Tugboat Only" fiction to FACT + 4 other ships!!
The Rescue Tug "Alatau" of the "Russian Pacific Fleet" https://au.pinterest.com/pin/58124651412322435/ YAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! + 2 destroyers, 1 LST and 1 replenishment ship.
Sorry I doubted you MR Putin.
Regards
Pete
P.S. Josh
I'll do a corrective post using http://www.mod.go.jp/js/Press/press2016/press_pdf/p20160906_01.pdf later in the week.
Regards
Pete
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