Northern Fleet

Putin’s Yacht’s Northern Escort Sparks Speculation and Wariness

The luxury yacht Kosatka, formerly known as Graceful, has been moved north along the Norwegian coast, escorted by the anti-submarine destroyer Severomorsk and the special patrol vessel Voevoda. This relocation follows intelligence suggesting Ukrainian drone threats to the vessel in its previous berths. The yacht, linked to Vladimir Putin by an investigation into its opulent amenities, likely arrived at the Northern Fleet’s base in Severomorsk for enhanced protection. The accompanying Voevoda, a newly commissioned vessel with luxury accommodations, has also fueled speculation about its role beyond maritime rescue.

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Admiral Nakhimov Returns: Russia’s Nuclear Battlecruiser Sails Again After Decades

On August 18th, the Admiral Nakhimov battle cruiser was assisted by tugs out of the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia. The warship, which has been undergoing decades of modernization, is set to begin sea trials in the White Sea and Barents Sea over the next few months. Officially confirmed by the state-controlled information agency TASS, the Admiral Nakhimov will be armed with an array of advanced weapons, including the Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile. This modernization project has faced numerous delays, with original plans for deployment in 2018 pushed back repeatedly. Ultimately, this warship will replace the Pyotr Velikiy, a vessel of the same class, in the Northern Fleet.

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