As NATO flotilla exercises along North Norwegian coast, Russian vessels lure in nearby waters

Involved in the drills that over the past week has taken place in North Norwegian waters are more than 40 ships and 20 aircraft. Thirteen NATO countries participate, and one of NATO’s Standing Maritime Groups (SNMG1), as well as one of its Standing Mine Countermeasures Groups (SNMCMG1), constitute the backbone for the training.

The exercise includes airborne training, amphibious landings, evacuations and live-firing, NATO representatives inform.

“Its scenario is designed to reflect political tensions in a regionalised conflict, resulting in a build-up of forces from the allied side,” the alliance says.

As the exercise unfolds, there are Russian naval vessels in nearby waters. On Wednesday 22nd of March, the Northern Fleet’s tug Nikolai Chiker sailed southwards off Norway’s Arctic coast

It is not clear whether the powerful salvage tug sails alone or whether it escorts other naval vessels with turned-off responders.

In addition to the Nikolai Chiker, the Russian frigate Admiral Kasatonov is believed to approach the North Atlantic waters. The warship was last week escorted by British Royal Navy vessels as it made it through the English Channel. The escort was subsequently taken over by Dutch and Belgian ships.

According to Russia’s Northern Fleet, the Admiral Kasatonov is heading towards Northeast Atlantic waters where it is to conduct a series of drills before returning to its home port of Severomorsk, Kola Peninsula.

Both the Nikolai Chiker and Admiral Kasatonov might be part of the exercise that was kicked off by the Northern Fleet last week. The drills include about 20 warships and support vessels, as well as five aircraft and 50 other military special equipment units.

It is likely that the Russian exercise comes as a response to the allied Joint Warrior.

Weather conditions in the area have been difficult.

But it does not bother Rear Admiral Thorsten Marx, the Commander of the SNMG1.

“The climatic conditions of an exercise in northern Norway in spring always poses a special challenge. The special feature of NATO‘s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) is to demonstrate operational capability even under these adverse conditions,” he underlines.

The Joint Warrior is one of three allied exercises that take place in the Nordic region this month. While the Joint Warrior takes place at sea, the Joint Viking includes warfare training on land. The exercise Arctic Forge takes place in Lapland, northern Finland.