The Black Sea region is of particular importance for the strategic security of our country. Heightened activity of foreign countries is observed in it, potentially threatening Russian interests. To contain foreign aggression and to respond to urgent threats in the region, a developed grouping is created and maintained, including all the main branches and types of troops and forces. The command of the Southern Military District, which is responsible for protecting the Black Sea sector, has at its disposal all the means to repel an attack, deliver retaliatory strikes, and also for strategic non-nuclear deterrence.
The direction of the Black Sea is included in the area of responsibility of the Southern Military District and its troops. First of all, the protection of the region is carried out by the Red Banner Black Sea Fleet - its surface and submarine forces, as well as coastal troops. Also, near the Black Sea, various formations of other species and genera are deployed, capable of supporting the KChF and protecting coastal areas. Thus, Russia can claim first place in terms of the size and power of troops in the region. Let's consider the Black Sea direction in more detail.
Red Banner Black Sea Fleet
At the moment, the lists of the KChF have more than 75 ships, boats and submarines of all main classes and types. Some of these combat units are being repaired and modernized, and so far cannot participate in real operations. Among them, the only ship of the 1st rank is the missile cruiser Moskva (project 1164). Also under repair are the Ladny patrol boat (project 1135) and the only submarine at the KChF, project 877 - Krasnoe Sormovo.
Ships of the 68th brigade for the protection of the water area, Sevastopol
Five patrol boats of three different types remain in service, carrying missile, artillery and torpedo weapons. Among them are the three newest frigates of pr. 11356, which entered service in 2016-17. There are amphibious forces in the composition of 7 BDKs of two projects, 1171 and 775, as well as five boats, projects 11770, 1176 and 02510. The KChF is the only operator of small air-cushion missile ships of project 1239 - it has two such combat units. Also in service there are two IRAs of projects 1234 and 21631. The area of missile boats is represented by five representatives of project 1241. 6 small anti-submarine ships of project 1124M and so far the only patrol ship of project 22160 are in service.
Mine-sweeping forces of the KChF include 9 ships of different types. This number includes ships of both relatively old projects 1258 or 1265, and a representative of the modern project 12700. There are four reconnaissance ships of several projects. The newest of them is "Ivan Khurs" pr. 18280, which entered the fleet last year.
Demonstration shooting at events dedicated to the Day of the Navy, 2018
The submarine forces of the KChF include the Krasnoye Sormovo submarine, which was departed for repairs, as well as six newest diesel-electric submarines of project 636.3. All these ships are capable of carrying modern missile and torpedo weapons. Of particular importance is the Kalibr-PL missile system, which makes it possible to strike at targets at operational-strategic depth.
Finally, the Red Banner Black Sea Fleet has a developed grouping of support vessels of all types, from tankers and rescue boats to diving boats and hospital ships.
The flagship of the Black Sea Fleet is the missile cruiser Moskva, pr. 1164
All ships and vessels of the KChF are consolidated into one division, seven brigades and three separate divisions. The fleet has four basing points - Sevastopol, Novorossiysk, Feodosia and Donuzlav. Due to these naval bases, complete freedom of operation of ships and submarines is ensured in the entire water area of the Black Sea and in the surrounding regions.
Air protection
From the air, the southwestern borders of Russia can be covered by several formations from the Navy and Aerospace Forces. First of all, this is the naval aviation of the Black Sea Fleet. She owns two air bases in the Crimea - Kacha and Saki. The 318th mixed aviation regiment is based at the Kacha airfield; in Saki is the 43rd separate naval assault aviation regiment. At the disposal of the KChF naval aviation are aircraft and helicopters of several types. To solve various combat missions, Su-24M bombers, Su-30SM fighters, as well as Be-12 anti-submarine aircraft and Ka-27 helicopters are used. There is a fleet of transport equipment.
Frigate "Admiral Grigorovich"
In the Black Sea direction, the aviation formations of the 4th Red Banner Army of the Air Force and Air Defense can be involved. The 27th mixed air division, which includes three air regiments, is based directly in the Crimea. The 37th Air Force Mixed Aviation Regiment (Gvardeyskoye base) operates Su-24M bombers and Su-25SM attack aircraft. At the Belbek airfield, the 38th Fighter Regiment is at its disposal, at its disposal there are Su-27 aircraft of several modifications and the newer Su-30M2. The 39th helicopter regiment is based in Dzhankoy. Its squadrons have helicopters of the Ka-52, Mi-28 and Mi-8AMTSh types.
At some distance from the Black Sea, but within the combat radius of the equipment, a number of other aviation formations from the 4th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense will be deployed. If necessary, numerous fighter, bomber, assault and helicopter regiments and squadrons can carry out combat work from nearby regions.
Land component
Some land units are deployed practically along the entire Russian coast of the Black Sea. First of all, these are the coastal troops of the KChF, the bulk of which is now concentrated in the Crimea. There is a well-developed ground grouping capable of solving a wide range of tasks of various kinds in any conditions. Several connections are based in the Krasnodar Territory.
MRK "Bora" pr. 1239
One of the main formations of the coastal troops of the KChF is the 126th separate Gorlovskaya coastal defense brigade, which includes tank, artillery, infantry and other battalions. The 810th Separate Guards Marine Brigade is based in Sevastopol. In Temryuk, on the coast of the Sea of Azov, the 382nd separate battalion of the marines is serving. On different coasts of the Black Sea, there are two missile and artillery brigades, operating, among other things, coastal defense complexes. There is also an 8th separate artillery regiment in Crimea to cover the coastline. The 1096th separate anti-aircraft missile regiment is also located there. The coastal troops of the KChF include all the necessary reconnaissance, RChBZ and support units.
Two anti-aircraft missile regiments from the 51st Air Defense Division of the 4th Air Force and Air Defense Army are stationed in Novorossiysk and Sochi. Three regiments of the 31st Air Defense Division are deployed in Crimea, subordinate to the 4th Army. These units are armed with anti-aircraft systems of various types, up to the long-range systems S-300PM and S-400.
Large landing craft "Caesar Kunikov" (project 775) unloads armored vehicles
In the nearby regions there are a large number of units and formations from the composition of other branches of the armed forces and combat arms, subordinate to the command of the Southern Military District. If necessary, they can provide support to the coastal troops of the KChF, however, their transfer and deployment takes some time. The list of units and formations called up to help the fleet depends on specific tasks and threats.
Close off the area
The available information from open sources shows the approximate potential of Russian troops in the Black Sea region. It is immediately clear that the formations of the Navy, coastal and ground forces, the Air Force and Air Defense, in the event of an open conflict, are capable of completely covering the entire region and preventing all major threats from a potential enemy. For the latter, the so-called. zone A2 / AD, in which any effective military activity is extremely difficult or excluded.
Diesel-electric submarine "Novorossiysk" pr. 636.3
Using the available means of ground, ship and air bases, the Russian armed forces are able to create an almost continuous radar field over the Black Sea and part of the surrounding areas. Any activity of third countries will not go unnoticed, and aggressive intentions will be revealed in time. In this case, the army will be able to react accordingly.
A significant part of the Black Sea is covered by Russian anti-aircraft systems located in the Crimea and on the east coast. They create a highly effective layered air defense system. Due to this, the probability of successful actions by combat aviation or high-precision weapons of the enemy is sharply reduced. In organizing air defense of bases and naval formations at sea, ships with appropriate equipment and weapons must participate.
Armored vehicles of the 126th separate coastal defense brigade during exercises
A similar situation is with the protection of the southwestern borders from enemy surface ships. To combat them, coastal missile and artillery systems can be used, as well as aircraft missiles or weapons of ships and submarines. The deployment of mobile weapons carriers to the optimal lines is capable of providing complete coverage of the entire Black Sea water area.
The KChF has a wide range of weapons suitable for striking coastal targets. Of greatest interest in this area are the Kalibr missile systems for submarines and surface ships. Cruise missiles of this family, designed for strikes against stationary targets, show a flight range of at least 1500-2000 km. Thanks to this, such missiles can hit targets not only on the shores of the Black Sea, but also in more remote areas. In fact, "Calibers", having outstanding characteristics, become an effective tool for non-nuclear deterrence of a potential enemy.
The Red Banner Black Sea Fleet is called upon to solve combat missions not only in the Black Sea, but also beyond its borders. It is this association that is responsible for the work in the Mediterranean. Hiking to more remote regions is also possible. The departure of ships and submarines outside the Black Sea region in a known way affects the tasks of the fleet and gives the command new opportunities.
Airbase Novofedorovka (Saki)
Thus, the presence of ships of the Russian Navy, primarily from the KChF, in the Mediterranean Sea was established. In addition to solving combat training tasks, the fleet has repeatedly participated in real operations. So, in recent years, the landing forces of the KChF have been providing transportation of military cargo to Syria. In the future, the KChF warships have repeatedly provided anti-aircraft cover for the ports and coastal regions of Syria. Also, combat units of the KChF struck at terrorist targets using high-precision weapons.
Strength of strategic importance
According to open data, a fairly large group of forces of the Russian army is concentrated on the Black Sea and in the surrounding regions, which includes all the main branches of the armed forces. This makes it possible to protect the strategically important southwestern direction from the aggressive activities of a potential enemy.
Fighter Su-30M2 at Belbek airfield
In the event of a real armed conflict, the Black Sea group and other troops of the Southern Military District, using the available means and weapons, are capable of inflicting unacceptable damage on the enemy. Obviously, such clashes will lead to losses on our side. However, an attempt to solve combat missions in the defended Black Sea region will cost the enemy too much, and in all spheres - primarily in aviation and surface ships.
If necessary, ships and submarines, as well as the naval aviation of the KChF, can solve tasks outside the Black Sea. In some conditions, such work may be associated with a reduction in the overall potential and the emergence of significant risks - all this should be expected in connection with the distance from the bases and ground facilities of the army.
As it stands, Russian troops on and near the Black Sea represent a serious force capable of confronting various opponents. However, the current successes do not give a reason to stop its development. The Black Sea region is of interest to various countries, some of which are unfriendly to Russia. Taking into account the risk of a possible active confrontation in the Black Sea, the development of both the Black Sea Fleet and other troops capable of operating in the region should be continued. This will allow maintaining combat capability at the proper level, corresponding to the requirements of the time, as well as keeping a potential adversary from rash actions.
