Baltops 2020 exercises: World War III scenarios during the pandemic era

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USNS Supply Support Vessel at Baltops Exercises. Source: nato.int

Pandemics despite


Initially, the 49th military games of the NATO armies Baltic Operations 2020 were supposed to take place in the spring, but the coronavirus made its own adjustments, and the exercises were held from June 7 to 16. In order to avoid infection of the personnel, the organizers canceled the land component and concentrated on the sea and air parts. The troops of 17 member countries of the Alliance and 2 partner countries: Finland and Sweden pulled into Europe. In total, 29 maritime units, 29 aircraft and 3000 military personnel were represented in the Baltic Sea and in the airspace. Not the biggest forces. For comparison: last year there were 50 ships, 40 aircraft and about 8,6 thousand military personnel.


Source: sfn.nato.int

Naturally, no one from the supreme leadership of the alliance points directly to the anti-Russian format of exercises. The official press release of the NATO High Command, in particular, states:



“The purpose of these exercises is to increase the level of allied activities between the countries of the alliance in order to strengthen the potential for joint response to threats, as well as to demonstrate international determination to ensure stability in the region and, if necessary, to protect the Baltic Sea.”



As you can see, masks for helicopter crews are not needed. The MH60 Sea Hawk is preparing to board the latest USS Mount Whitney control vessel. Source: nato.int

For 10 days, naval forces and aviation The NATO armies underwent three main phases of the exercises: testing and improving the performance of combat missions, integration of forces and assets, and at the final stage under the name TACEX, a “free game” took place, in which many units worked autonomously. The last stage is considered the most unpredictable for a potential adversary, therefore it was during this period that the Baltic’s retaliatory activity fleet was the maximum. But more on that later.

One of the main features of the past exercises was the focus on cooperation between units of different countries under a common command. In fact, the ability to coordinate the Naples headquarters of the Sixth Fleet of the United States, the command center in Lisbon and the NATO Operations Center was assessed. How much this has been achieved has yet to be evaluated, but now officials are reporting on successful outcomes.






Several episodes of ship maneuvers in the Baltic. Source: nato.int

All Baltops 2020 resources were built around counteracting a powerful adversary, against which no European state can stand alone. Ships and aircraft hone the technique of joint mine action, air defense and anti-submarine wars. As Lisa Franchetti, the commander of the Sixth Fleet of the United States, notes, only the development of skills in conditions as close as possible to real hostilities will allow us to jointly repel the enemy’s powerful naval forces in the future. All actions in the next prove the clear focus of maneuvers on countering Russia. Particularly in this regard, the final training blockade of the Baltic by NATO forces stands out, very similar to a similar operation by the naval forces of the Third Reich.

Of no less importance is the development of warfare techniques in a pandemic. Europeans with Americans seem to have decided to wrap up the situation with coronavirus in their favor and try their hand at war with all the epidemiological precautions. The result was naval maneuvers - US marines did not even venture on a traditional landfall near the Kaliningrad region. As if making excuses for this, Rear Admiral Guy Robinson talked about some new tactics that made it possible to do without landing operations.

Responsiveness


From 1993 to 2015, Russia took part in the annual military operations of Baltic Operations aimed at developing tactics of the fight against terrorism. For five years now, as part of the Baltops, our country has been acting as a hypothetical adversary and conducting its maneuvers on the other side of the front. A press release from the Russian National Center for Defense Management in this regard diplomatically states:

“The forces and means of the Baltic Fleet are monitoring the US and European naval exercises Baltops-2020, conducted from June 7 to 16 in the waters of the southern and central parts of the Baltic Sea.”



Baltic Fleet Source: cdnimg.rg.ru

In a situation where warships and aircraft of a potential enemy approached only 120 kilometers to the state border of Russia, it was simply impossible to observe and not react. Against this background, the Kaliningrad region for ten days has become a kind of outpost of the educational resistance of Baltops. First of all, the launches of the Iskanders distinguished themselves by electronic launches on NATO's control infrastructure facilities. In total, 20 pieces of equipment and about 200 personnel were involved. Immediately after the training launches, the rocketers changed their positions in order to avoid a retaliatory strike. The Bastion complexes also held the ships of the NATO countries on the fly, and then, during electronic firing, they were "destroyed". At the very beginning of the maneuvers, several ships left the city of Baltiysk to monitor the course of events and to develop anti-submarine and air defense. Also, the Baltic Fleet naval aviation conducted round-the-clock reconnaissance, and ten Su-27, Su-24 and Su-30SM carried out an attack on enemy surface targets. Although the NATO team this time did not dare to land the Marine Corps, Baltic Fleet pilots conditionally destroyed several landing ships. At the same time, Russian aviation did not stop training after the Baltops either: on June 19, three days later, the combined fleet of NATO, 10 crews of anti-submarine aircraft of the Baltic Fleet rehearsed the search and destruction of submarines. In addition, they trained in bombing and round-the-clock destruction of surface targets. According to the press center of the Baltic Fleet, during the NATO maneuvers, exercises were held for units of the air defense regiment. They worked out the standards for the deployment of radar stations, the search for air targets and target designation at the command posts of the S-300 and S-400 systems. At least 500 anti-aircraft gunners and about 50 weapons, including the Sky and Gamma radars, took part in the training. Field trips of electronic warfare specialists during the period of military games of the NATO countries have already become traditional. In the Kaliningrad region for almost two weeks, 200 troops were on duty, providing the combat work of 20 units of special equipment. Only the main operations of the Russian grouping of troops in the Baltic are listed here, without taking into account the local training exits of individual minesweepers or missile boats. In general, for ten days Baltops Kaliningrad region was included in no less ambitious military maneuvers.


Missile system "Iskander". Source: gazeta.ru

This confrontation is very similar to the scenario of the beginning of the third world war. Moreover, the ever-increasing activity of the United States and Europe in the Baltic Sea leads not only to a local response from our army, but also to a long-term buildup of weapons. So, in the near future small missile ships of the Karakurt project 22800 with Caliber cruise missiles will appear on the Baltic Fleet, four ships of this series will be equipped with the marine version of the Pantsir-M anti-aircraft missile system. Russia has to intensify intelligence activity near NATO member countries and sympathizers, which cannot but lead to increased tension.

Against the backdrop of confrontation, the idea of ​​Russia returning to the format of the Baltic exercises of NATO countries is interesting. According to the editor-in-chief of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine Viktor Murakhovsky, who he voiced in an interview with RT,

“Joint maneuvers increase overall security, establish cooperation when ships and vessels diverge in international waters. Today, this problem is quite urgent. We see Americans regularly making dangerous maneuvers near foreign ships, which is heating up the situation in different parts of the world. Any training with the ships is always useful, this would serve as a de-escalation. But the West is not interested in this. ”

But with the growing activity of the NATO bloc, which even COVID-19 is not a reason for a truce, the hope for such a turn of events is very weak.
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  1. -1
    22 June 2020 06: 03
    Baltops 2020 exercises: World War III scenarios during the pandemic era
    Che, they imitate spraying another infection, they say the wind is suitable, well, well.
    1. 0
      22 June 2020 08: 28
      and if necessary - protect the Baltic Sea

      From the atlantic ocean? Or from Issyk-Kul?
      Is there a high-likly information about someone wishing to attack the Baltic Sea directly?
      Thinking and cue level statements
      1. 0
        22 June 2020 09: 38
        NATO exercises took place in the area of ​​the SP-2 laying. We "worked out" deep-sea diving. They are looking for an excuse to close the project. In fact, there is an economic war, it came to the fleet ... About this special report:
        1. 0
          22 June 2020 16: 41
          Quote: Nasr
          NATO exercises took place in the area of ​​the SP-2. We "worked out" deep-sea diving. Looking for a reason to close the project

          No matter how much nastiness they put under our pipe. If it explodes, they will shout to the whole world about the insecurity of SP1 and SP2. For them (for the USA) this is an ideal solution to the problem of our gas.
      2. 0
        23 June 2020 10: 58
        This is not a preparation for a world war, this is pushing the "inner enemy" to action ("the last" and "decisive").
  2. +4
    22 June 2020 06: 22
    They do not openly say that they are preparing to fight with Russia, but this is not necessary either, because everything speaks for itself
    demonstration of international determination to ensure stability in the region, and if necessary - protect the Baltic Sea
    From the Poles with the Balts or the Scandinavians, who are allies going to defend? The Americans are demonstratively asking for trouble today with the main goal of keeping Russia in suspense (in their opinion) and, most importantly, showing the "allies" that the Americans are full of determination, if something happens, "to defend" the most nervous, unpredictable and Russophobic in this region.
    1. +2
      22 June 2020 06: 58
      The Kaliningrad region for ten days has become a kind of outpost of the educational resistance of Baltops.
      Ours also trained .... So it is not known who has more pluses!
  3. +3
    22 June 2020 06: 30
    Any teachings are normal. Only in contrast to NATO exercises, not only the work of anti-aircraft gunners, but also the training and combat shooting of the Caliber and Iskander at sea targets near the training zone is needed.
    The enemy must be kept in good shape and fear.
  4. -4
    22 June 2020 06: 31
    Responsiveness

    Directly theater of one actor (NATO), for:
    “Forces and means of the Baltic Fleet watching the progress of the exercise US Navy and European countries ... "

    Naturally, the approaching borders of NATO countries directly to Russian territory do not carry any danger for Russian citizens. These are just games dedicated to the beginning of the attack of fascist Germany on the USSR. Just on the eve of the parade in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory.
    I still think when, after the next “military maneuver”, without any demarche, the NATO countries “allow” themselves, using the loyalty of the RF Armed Forces, to fire at our country with any American missiles ... But what? Everything is in order for a preemptive strike.
    Most importantly, none of the country's leadership “due to certain circumstances” has the right to make a sharp attack towards the “alleged opponent”, does not allow itself to say a harsh word that can be assessed as a direct threat, as an attack on a “white and fluffy »NATO ...
    Is there any reason for such a relationship?
    Therefore, sometimes you look at politicians:

    And the thought arises:
    “A MAY BE, BREAKS?”
    But, in the absence of a stamp:
    “Joint maneuvers increase overall security, establish cooperation when ships and vessels diverge in international waters ... Any training with ships is always useful, this would serve to de-escalate. But the West is not interested in this. ”

    It remains only to state:
    But with the growing activity of the NATO bloc, which even COVID-19 is not a reason for a truce, the hope for such a turn of events is very weak.
  5. -1
    22 June 2020 07: 01
    At any moment, large-scale exercises can develop into war / conflict.
  6. +1
    22 June 2020 07: 13
    "Someone thinks that we have maneuvers, but we were just fishing" (c)
  7. +2
    22 June 2020 07: 59
    Read disgusting ...
    We have exercises, and they have "military games".
    Just a shame!
    1. 0
      22 June 2020 16: 10
      Quote: Bez 310
      We have exercises, and they have "military games".

      Exactly.
      Because we do not set ourselves the task of provoking someone. For example, conducting exercises in the Gulf of Mexico.
      And the Americans provoke CONSTANTLY.
      And we, and China, and Iran, and North Korea.
      1. 0
        22 June 2020 17: 13
        We are not conducting exercises in the Gulf of Mexico for a completely different reason.
        We do not have the strength to train in this bay. Yes, Americans are constantly demonstrating strength in various areas. They have something to demonstrate.
        I understand our position - do not provoke, do not give a reason, do not need to do anything, otherwise suddenly what will happen, but we have nothing to answer.
        We simply depict activities with a stupefying campaign in our media.
        1. 0
          22 June 2020 19: 37
          Quote: Bez 310
          We are not conducting exercises in the Gulf of Mexico for a completely different reason.
          We do not have the strength to exercise in this bay.

          Do you yourself understand that you wrote nonsense?

          Quote: Bez 310
          Yes, Americans are constantly demonstrating strength in various areas. They have something to demonstrate.

          I also have something to demonstrate, but I'm a well-mannered person, and I don’t run around the streets without pants.

          Quote: Bez 310
          We simply depict activities with a stupefying campaign in our media.

          For those who are very forgetful, I remind you: it was they who declared us enemies, not we. And bringing the truth about what is happening to the population is a good and right thing, and not a "stupefying company"
          1. +1
            22 June 2020 21: 08
            I understand your position, further conversation
            I think it’s pointless with you. Excuse me.
            1. -2
              22 June 2020 21: 16
              Quote: Bez 310
              I understand your position, further conversation
              I think it’s pointless with you.

              Can't broadcast crap with a smart look?
              It happens. Today is not your day.
              1. +2
                22 June 2020 21: 28
                The point is completely different.
                I don't need your "personalization"
                need to discuss the topic, not the commentators.
                I am not ready to discuss the reasons why
                you don’t run through the streets without pants.
                Sorry again ...
                1. -1
                  22 June 2020 21: 40
                  Quote: Bez 310
                  I don't need your "personalization"

                  Yes, I didn’t seem to go over ...
                  Quote: Bez 310
                  I am not ready to discuss the reasons why
                  you don’t run through the streets without pants.

                  And, I understand, you were offended on behalf of all Americans.
                  For the fact that I compared their bad habit of provoking everyone with running through the streets without pants "because there is something to demonstrate" laughing laughing laughing

                  And the funny thing is that by provoking Russia, these gifted alternative people provoke those who are able to destroy them. One mistake, one misunderstanding and the principle of "mutual assured destruction" will work .... Have you heard of this? MAD, Mutually Assured Destruction

                  Honestly, against the backdrop of the actions of these ... originals, even running through the streets without pants looks like the height of sanity.
                  1. +2
                    22 June 2020 21: 49
                    I see demagoguery is your forte.
                    And now on the case. During the "end of the USSR" Soviet
                    The Navy carried out PPS in the Sargasso Sea, with the forces of 5 nuclear submarines.
                    Recently discussed, the operation was called "Atrina".
                    What was it? Integrated exercises, or "military games",
                    and what is the difference?
                    1. -2
                      22 June 2020 22: 07
                      Quote: Bez 310
                      I see demagoguery is your forte.

                      Where is "demagoguery" here?
                      Stupid people diligently provoke other states. Including those against which provocations can lead to the destruction of both the United States and humanity as a whole.
                      And you whine about "demagoguery".
                      These are pure facts.
                      If you "have something to show" - you don't have to take off your pants and run down the street.

                      Quote: Bez 310
                      Recently discussed, the operation was called "Atrina".

                      Provocation.
                      Not very smart people decided to show other not very smart people that they also "have something to show"
                      But this does not justify the American military games. Which with high probability can lead to Armageddez
                      1. +2
                        22 June 2020 22: 14
                        A provocation organized by not-so-smart people?
                        Do you think that in the Soviet Navy at the helm were "not very
                        smart people "? Well, you know better ...
                        But at the end of October 2019, several submarines of the North
                        fleets went to sea with a similar mission. What, and in
                        Russian Navy at the helm, too, are "not very smart people"? Straight
                        and I don’t know how to react to it ...
                        It’s good for you, you’re sure that the head of our Navy is
                        "not very smart people" who provoke our "partners".
                        And here I am at a loss ...
                      2. -2
                        22 June 2020 22: 17
                        Quote: Bez 310
                        Do you think that in the Soviet Navy at the helm were "not very
                        smart people "? Well, you know better ...

                        Do you think that the decision to carry out the provocation was made by the leadership of the Soviet Navy?

                        Quote: Bez 310
                        But at the end of October 2019, several submarines of the North
                        fleets went to sea with a similar mission.

                        With which?
                        If you have been informed, do not be shy, voice it.
                      3. +1
                        22 June 2020 22: 19
                        Quote: Spade
                        Do you think that the decision to carry out the provocation was made by the leadership of the Soviet Navy?

                        I don’t think, but I know for certain, that Operation Atrina (in your opinion, a provocation) was ordered to be carried out by the Navy Chief Chernavin personally.
                        Okay, I see that apart from the slogans, you have no knowledge,
                        finish the conversation.
                      4. -2
                        22 June 2020 22: 21
                        Quote: Bez 310
                        ordered the conduct of the Navy GC Chernavin personally.

                        laughing laughing laughing
                        Have you slanted from the army?
                      5. +2
                        22 June 2020 22: 23
                        Quote: Spade
                        Have you slanted from the army?

                        Tried, failed ...
                        I had to serve 30 years, of which 26 - in the Navy.
        2. 0
          25 June 2020 19: 56
          There is nothing to answer, only our doctrine does not imply a war on foreign territory and large expeditionary forces.
  8. The comment was deleted.
  9. +1
    22 June 2020 12: 59
    I wonder what NATO's plan is "if something happens." And what kind of situation. Certainly, no one is preparing to conquer us - but there is also definitely a preparation for a certain situation in which either we are viewed as the initiator, or certain events force us to act.
    What if all these are some blueprints for the case of GV, in the style of intervention 2.0? Indeed, at one time, the West was completely unprepared for such a development of events and as a result received a problem for decades to come.
    Of course, we have enough neighbors (in NATO, in NATO allies) who want to take a piece of our country, following the example of the partition of Poland or Czechoslovakia, but the problem is that even having chosen the most inappropriately for our demographic potential, we still have enough strength, territory , resources and volume of industry in order to take everything back or at least become a perennial problem.
    We, in turn, already had experience in the sphere of control of Eastern Europe - but objectively now we are absolutely not in shape to repeat this, and our economy is even less interested in this. Even if there was such a goal, we would need at least 10 years of industrialization and militarization. That is, to assert that we really have some kind of active plan that arouses fears in the Baltic or Eastern countries. Europe - I would not. Simply eliminating the Russian Federation for the sake of its elimination is also a fantasy - our foreign economic and political activity cannot be compared with the activity of the United States or even China, our economic impact on Europe is not so critical - otherwise the Europeans themselves would have "closed" the Libyan issue long ago and would lay a pipe from there - or force the issue of Turkish Stream 2. There are no signs that our foreign policy will continue to pose some serious and fundamental challenge to the external plans of the United States - our economy simply will not pull it.
    In turn, it would be extremely dangerous for the United States to disorganize our territory - this is specifically not in their interests. We have a lot of "bad" technologies and specialists, an absolutely horrible territory for occupation - all this, if something happens, can be a much bigger problem than it is now. So I don't believe that the US wants to destroy us.
    So what is the idea then?
  10. 0
    22 June 2020 19: 04
    Until they get the Drendule, they will soar.
  11. 5-9
    0
    23 June 2020 15: 15
    Iskanders without special warheads - money down the drain!

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