Russian Navy missile corvette arrives in the Skagerrak, 21 November 2024
Steregushchiy missile corvette Merkuriy arrived in the Skagen roads likely as contingency support and to monitor the situation regarding Yi Peng 3, suspected of Baltic Sea underwater cable damage
In what is an unprecedented move Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet Pr.20380 Steregushchiy class missile corvette SKR-734 “Merkuriy” commenced a loiter in the Skagen roads during the forenoon, 21 November 2024.
Of course, Russian warships and auxiliaries regularly loiter in the Skagerrak but uniquely, this is the first time a Russian warship returning from an operational deployment has conducted such a stand-off and given the timing, which is coincident with several Nordic countries apparent initial action against a vessel suspected of underwater infrastructure damage, it is likely Merkuriy has been tasked to maintain a Russian military presence close to where Chinese Bulk Carrier Yi Peng 3 is anchored in order to observe the situation or provide support if needed.
The arrival of Merkuriy, which is returning to the Baltic Sea for a routine maintenance cycle after a 15-month operational deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, allows Russia to have a fully operational and certified warship presence close to the scene and react quickly, if necessary.
With little capability to monitor the Nordic response in real time, Merkuriy allows Russia to electronically monitor the situation whilst averting the appearance of overt intervention and/or provocation by having to dispatch a warship or intelligence collection vessel from Baltiysk through the Fehmarn Belt and Kattegat.
Russia Naval activity in the southern Baltic Sea was within seasonal norms on 21 November 2024.
What happened to the rear mast ? - Is this a ‘batch’ 3 Stereguschiy ?