The Dnieper River Flotilla was formed
Current situation on the Dnieper direction. Territories under the control of the Russian army are marked in red. Graphics by Lostarmour.info
As part of the naval fleet Russia has a new association - the Dnieper River Flotilla. This structure will not be large in size or specially equipped, but it will have to play a big role in the current Special Operation to demilitarize Ukraine. The flotilla will have to complement other troops and forces involved in the operation and help with future combat missions.
New formations
On March 20, a regular meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Defense took place in Moscow. The event traditionally began with an opening speech by the head of the department, Sergei Shoigu. The minister spoke about the latest successes of the armed forces on the fronts of the current Special Operation and in the rear. In addition, he raised the topic of military development and improving the organizational structure of the troops.
According to S. Shoigu, in accordance with the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the development of the armed forces and the increase in their combat capabilities continues. For this purpose, several land formations have already been formed and a large number of new ones are expected to appear.
Destruction of Ukrainian boats with saboteurs on the river. Dnieper. Photo Lostarmour.info
Current plans also include the development of the fleet. Thus, the minister spoke for the first time about the formation of a new Dnieper river flotilla. A brigade of river boats has been created as part of this flotilla. The minister's report did not provide any details.
So far, the principles of organizing and managing the flotilla, its numbers and equipment, its bases, etc. remain unknown. However, in the near future the boats of the new association will take part in battles, and the Ministry of Defense will talk about their service and successes.
Goals and objectives
The Minister of Defense did not name the exact reasons for the formation of the new Dnieper flotilla or indicate its goals and objectives. However, the answers to these questions are clear without explanation. In general, the need for such a unification is related to the current situation at the fronts and its expected development.
Currently, a significant part of the line of contact between Russian troops and Ukrainian formations runs along the river. Dnieper. Our army controls the left bank from the eastern part of the former Kakhovka reservoir to the Dnieper estuary. The total length of the river “front” exceeds 330-340 km. The river is a difficult natural barrier to overcome and limits the actions of the Russian army and Ukrainian forces. Nevertheless, the enemy regularly tries to make forays onto our shores. It is particularly active in the Dnieper delta, in the area of the islands near the city of Kherson.
Aviation attack on the enemy's position on the right bank of the Dnieper. Photo Telegram / Fighterbomber
Enemy incursions are successfully suppressed using a variety of forces and means available on this sector of the front. Boats with enemy landing forces are identified by unmanned aircraft, after which they are attacked by artillery, anti-tank systems, Drones-kamikaze, etc. The militants who managed to land on our shore remain under fire until they are completely destroyed or surrendered.
The forces and means available in the Dnieper direction of the front are sufficient to preserve and maintain the current situation. At the same time, it is possible and probably necessary to strengthen our group in these sectors of the front. This task is now being solved through the creation of the Dnieper river flotilla. It will be able to complement the troops available in the area and strengthen them quantitatively and qualitatively.
Forces and means
Accurate information about the composition and equipment of the Dnieper River Flotilla is not yet available. So far, all that is known is that it includes a brigade of river boats. Perhaps new data on the organizational structure of the association, its equipment, etc. will appear later.
Considering the specifics of the area of responsibility, it can be assumed that the basis of the flotilla will be formations and units on boats. In addition, the association may have its own coastal troops with marines, artillery, etc. At the same time, one should not expect that the number of surface and coastal forces will be large. In this regard, the Dnieper flotilla will be almost several times inferior to the Caspian - until recently the smallest formation of the Russian Navy.
Boats pr. 03160 "Raptor". Photo of SZ "Pella"
Apparently, the surface forces of the new flotilla will be equipped only with boats and motor boats. The dimensions, draft and displacement of such equipment must comply with the limitations of the Dnieper and ensure freedom of action in any part of the river, incl. off the coast. For this reason, strengthening the flotilla with ships of even small classes looks unlikely, if not impossible.
The new flotilla can be equipped with high-speed boats, Project 03160 “Raptor” and/or Project 02510 BK-16. Pennants of these types are capable of solving the tasks of patrolling and protecting areas, identifying and destroying enemy forces. They can also transport personnel, land troops and support them with fire, etc. In general, with the help of BK-16 and Raptors, it will be possible to solve the main range of tasks characteristic of the area of responsibility of the new flotilla.
To protect against landings or sabotage from the enemy, anti-sabotage boats, Project 21980 "Grachonok", can be used. They are equipped with special equipment for illuminating the surface, underwater and air conditions, and also have weapons to neutralize identified threats. "Rooks" will be able to improve the protection of our coast from possible enemy attacks.
The coastal component of the new flotilla should include some support units corresponding to the needs of the surface forces. It is also possible to form full-fledged coastal forces, equipped with infantry weapons of all main classes, armored vehicles, artillery, etc. At the same time, the flotilla is unlikely to receive its own naval aviation, like other naval formations.
Boat BK-16. Photo Concern "Kalashnikov"
Opportunities
It is not difficult to understand what results the creation of a new Dnieper river flotilla will bring. In general, we are talking about the quantitative and qualitative strengthening of our group of troops in this direction and the growth of existing potential. In addition, our army will have new capabilities that will be useful in the current situation and in its further development.
First of all, the appearance on the Dnieper of high-speed landing and/or anti-sabotage boats, as well as, possibly, other combat units, will significantly improve the capabilities of our troops to protect water areas. It will be easier to identify enemy attempts to cross the river to create a bridgehead or even to carry out sabotage.
At the same time, the operational capabilities of our troops will improve. Thus, the boats will provide landing on the opposite shore to solve certain problems. At the same time, superiority over the enemy in technology will dramatically reduce risks and increase the effectiveness of such measures.
For a long time, the possibility of conducting a full-scale landing operation with crossing the Dnieper and creating a bridgehead on the right bank has been discussed. It is obvious that landing boats and other pennants, capable of quickly transporting personnel with weapons, equipment, etc., should play a significant role in such an operation. At the same time, strengthening the surface forces of the flotilla will ensure the required scale of landing.
Speed boat BK-10. Photo Concern "Kalashnikov"
The enemy does not know whether the Russian command is going to carry out such a landing operation. However, the appearance of appropriate forces and means on the Dnieper will create a potential threat in an important direction. This will force the enemy to take action and prepare to repel the landing. He will have to send more troops and equipment to the combat zone, and they will again become targets for our attacks using a variety of means and products - and regardless of the landing plans.
Continuous development
Thus, the Russian armed forces continue the forced demilitarization of Ukraine and are looking for ways to increase the effectiveness of these processes. The Dnieper River Flotilla will become a new tool that will help us achieve our goals and reduce risks. She will have to strengthen the existing group in one of the important areas.
Despite its limited size and combat strength, the new flotilla should cope with the assigned tasks. It will be able to ensure the preservation of the desired situation in the Dnieper direction or contribute to its change in the direction we need. Apparently, the new association is already preparing for combat work and solving assigned tasks, and its first successes will soon become known.
Information