The Air Force, air defense detachments, and submarine and surface fleet are practicing performing combat missions in Crimea. The S-400 missile system is used in the combat theater. Su-27 and Su-30 fighters provide protection from above. A-50 aircraft carry out reconnaissance and targeting. The reinforced group of ships repels an attack by the opposing force.
Here's the report with unique footage by our correspondent Alexandra Litvinova.
- The depth is 196 feet.
- Copy that! Blow out the middle one.
- Blow out the missile one, aye.
- Open the upper hatch.
This is unique footage: a Black Sea Navy submarine surfacing in open sea. Its crew communicates with headquarters and receives a combat training mission. The enemy's positions were found in the water and on the shore. A couple of minutes later, the submarine submerged again.
"Stand to!"
From that moment, the submarine became absolutely invisible to the enemy. The special streamlined shape of a submarine provides this effect. Even flows of water don't create additional noise. In addition, the entire hull is covered with special rubber coating. Submarines of this project are called black holes because of the lack of noise.
There's a mock alert for all Black Sea Fleet units. Combat ships leave Sevastopol Bay to reinforce the group. The opposing force tries to use pretty sophisticated tactics and confuse the enemy. But it's impossible to hide from the Russian Air Defense Troops. Several S-400 systems are simultaneously on alert in Crimea. Each of them controls the air space within 360 miles. At the same time, their range is 240 miles. Crimea and the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov are literally covered with a reliable dome.
Mikhail Rassolka, commander of headquarters: This is the S-400 system's high-altitude detector, which is the "eyes" of the system.
- So, there are no invisible targets for you?
- If we use this equipment, there can't be invisible targets at all. All of the targets are clearly visible.
By the decision of the commander of the Southern Military District troops, airborne early warning and control A-50 aircraft take off. They direct Su-27 and Su-30 fighters at the opposing force. At a depth of about 800 feet underwater, the submarine is preparing to destroy enemy targets on the surface and on the shore.
- The depth is 200 feet.
- Stand to!
- Prepare the missiles!
The main work is being done here, in the command center. There's a red alarm light. The crew is preparing for a training missile launch right now.
- The missiles are ready in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th torpedo launchers.
- Copy that. Launch!
- Aye, launch!
A few seconds later, they hit the target. But nobody doubted it: the new submarines have already proved to be super-efficient. Over the past five years, the Black Sea Fleet has become more formidable and powerful. Our servicemen perform tasks both in the Black Sea and outside of it — in the off-shore maritime zone. Service in the Russian military has reached a completely new level.
Andrei, helmsman: “My mother and father are very proud of the fact that I serve on the new frigate and perform combat tasks in off-shore maritime zone.”
- How does it feel to serve on such a formidable and powerful vessel?
Nikita Mozgovoy, missile battery commander: "It's very unusual to serve on such a formidable and powerful vessel. This is the first vessel of the 11356 series. It's a pioneer and has been on combat duty more often than others".
Over 50 aircraft of the tactical aviation are used in the drill. The fighters will fly over the peninsula and the Black Sea for a few days. A group of Su-27 fighters escorted a Tu-160 White Swan strategic bomber during that drill. This is the most powerful, largest, and fastest supersonic variable-sweep wing strategic bomber.
At the same time, the joint drill of the united NATO Naval Forces — Sea Shield 2019 — is being carried out in the Black Sea. According to our servicemen, this fact only helped the Black Sea Fleet perform combat training missions in real-world conditions.
Alexandra Litvinova, Vlad Moshek, Andrey Kolupaev, Alexander Tsapar, and Dmitry Glutsky for Vesti from Crimea.
