Warships and submarines staged show in Barents Sea for General Staff
The top brass of the Russian Armed Forces watched several of the Northern Fleet's main strategic assets trained as part of the Kumzha-2025 exercise.
Military planes, surface vessels and submarines were in action as the Northern Fleet last week organised this year's Kumzha execise.
It was the 20th drills of the kind and several of Russia's admirals, generals and top colonels were attentively watching from the sideline.
The annual Russian exercise takes its name after the energetic sea trout (“Kumzha”). It is staged for visiting representatives of the Military Academy of the Russian General Staff.
According to the Navy, this year's drills included 15 naval vessels, four more than in 2024.
The exercise scenario appeared almost identical as last year. The Northern Fleet units trained air defence, anti-submarine, anti-sabotage and anti-mine defence, as well as rescue of sailors lost at sea.
A video from the Navy show how cruiser Marshal Ustinov sets out from the Kola Bay. Sailors shoot with machine guns against approaching drones and motor boats. In the air were MiG-29 fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft Il-38, as well as a K-27 helicopter.
The visit of the Military Academy of the Russian General Staff takes place over several days. Including in the program is a visit to naval base Gadzhievo where high-ranking military men will learn to know the nuclear submarines Knyaz Vladimir, Verkhoturye and the Gepard.
The subs represent three different classes of vessels. The Knyaz Vladimir is the first upgraded Borei-A (Project 955A) vessel to enter service in the Russian Navy. The K-51 Verkhoturye is a Delta-IV from 1985. The K-335 Gepard is a Akula-III sub that was formally included in the Navy in 1993.
