WARSHIPUSTINOV

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NATO reacted on relocation of Russian forces

The 'Marshall Ustinov' appeared off Skagen on on Sep 7, 2022. The NATO is preparing for the passage of the Danish straits and the Fehmarnbelt. For days, British Navy frigates have been shadowing the ship and its formation, which left the Mediterranean on Aug 24. At first, observers at NATO assumed that the cruiser and its formation were heading for the home port of Severomorsk near Murmansk. But on Sep 7 the "Marshall Ustinov" changed direction to the east and is currently in the Skagerrak on course for the Baltic Sea. It is expected that the sister of the "Moskva", which was sunk in April by Ukrainian forces, will be transferred to the Baltic Sea through the Great Belt and the Fehmarnbelt in the next few days. On Sep 5, the Russian Navy sent a formation with the frigate "Yaroslav Mudriy" in the direction of Skagen. In the German Navy, the movements are observed,. Two naval units specializing in intercepting radio signals are at sea. The reconnaissance ship "Oste" left the port of Kiel on Sep 7. The reconnaissance ship "Alster" cruises in the central Baltic Sea and collects information about the Russian Navy. It was suggested that the Russian Navy is reacting to the relocation of the USS 'Kearsarge', according to the Head of Maritime Strategy and Security at the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University (ISPK). Because for almost four weeks, the US battle group with the amphibious assault ship "Kearsarge" and the landing ships "Arlington" and "Gunston Hall" with over 4,000 soldiers has been in the Baltic Sea. In addition, the US has destroyers and logistics ships in the Baltic Sea. The "Kersarge" was initially sent to the Mediterranean after the Kiel Week. But the Americans turned around at Gibraltar and took the units to the Baltic Sea, which was the first time in more than 30 years that such large US units with over 4,000 soldiers are cruising in the Baltic Sea. The "Marshall Ustinov" switched on an AIS signal when entering the Skagerrak and can thus be seen by everyone through the tracking apps. It is not yet clear when the association will travel through the Great Belt or the Fehmarnbelt. Regarding course and speed, the Russians would be at Fehmarn on Sep 9. An alternative explanation would be a refueling stop off Skagen. A few days ago, a Russian naval tanker was sent from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea. Since the Russian ships are not particularly modernly equipped for deep-sea refueling, they are usually looking for sheltered anchorages in international waters, which would be the case east of Skagen, where Russia also supplied two corvettes there at the end of October. In July and August, the Russian Navy also caused a stir with nuclear submarines in the Baltic Sea. How long the Russian units will remain in the Baltic Sea is still unclear. Since the Russian Navy has an ice-free port in Kaliningrad, the "Marshall Ustinov" could also stay in the Baltic Sea in winter. The NATO has also already reacted to the relocation of the "Marshall Ustinov". Units from NATO's permanent operational units are shadowing the Russian units. On Sep 5, NATO's Task Force 1 (SNMG1) was relocated from the Baltic Sea to the Skagerrak.