War on the Rocks – The U.S. Navy and its NATO allies may be gearing up to challenge Russia’s excessive legal claims to the Northern Sea route by conducting a freedom of navigation operation. Multinational naval exercises have been taking place in the Barents Sea, and at some point they might include a freedom of navigation operation. The stakes are high, given the tensions following Russia’s reinvasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Russian government’s warnings about naval operations in the area have become more bellicose and the political leadership appears more willing to take risks. As a result, the fallout from any freedom of navigation operation could rapidly escalate. 

RUSI – In Russia’s recently updated Foreign Policy Concept, the concept of the ‘World Ocean’ takes centre-stage as a tool for achieving Moscow’s objectives.

Naval News – Russia has had to reinforce the defenses at its naval bases in Crimea. One of its first moves at the start of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine was to station trained dolphins at the entrance of Sevastopol harbor. Similar dolphin pens have now turned up at a Russian Naval base in northwestern Crimea.

Barents Observer – The Sevmorput and Newnew Polar Bear sailed over the Balticconnector and the telecom cable in pair at the time the damage occurred. Now, they are following each other outside northern Norway, en route to Asia via the northern coast of Siberia.

Covert Shores – The Russian Navy deployments in the Mediterranean can be seen as part of the outer guard for the invasion of Ukraine. They deter NATO involvement, particularly from aircraft carriers in the sea. How good they are at this deterrence is a separate question, but their threat is real. At any rate, Russia has increased its warship and submarine operations there. Now the last submarine based there appears to be leaving. 

(Thanks to Alain)

Express – The Russian ship may have been struck by one of Russia’s own undersea mines placed around the mouth of Sevastopol harbour.

(Thanks to Alain)

Barents Observer – The transfer from the Northern Fleet to the Pacific Fleet was completed on the the 16th of October as the 170 meter long submarine arrived in the far eastern naval base.