Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation. Boat trip along the bays of Sevastopol

Story

History before 1917

The Black Sea Fleet was founded in 1783 after Russia annexed Crimea. Its first base was Akhtiarskaya Bay, located on the southwestern coast of the Crimean Peninsula. The city of Sevastopol was founded here.

The fleet developed and grew at a rapid pace, and already in 1787 it consisted of 3 battleships, 12 frigates, 3 bombardment ships, and 28 other warships. The fleet was controlled by the Black Sea Admiralty.

According to bilateral agreements on the temporary (until May 28, 2017) presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) in Ukraine from 1995 and 1997, on the basis of the Black Sea Fleet, the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy were created with separate basing on the territory of Ukraine.

70% of the entire infrastructure of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is located on the territory of Crimea. The 25,000-strong fleet personnel are stationed at three bases: in Sevastopol (Sevastopolskaya, Yuzhnaya, Karantinnaya, Kazachya bays), Feodosia, Novorossiysk and temporarily in Nikolaev, where the construction and repair of Russian ships is underway.

According to the Agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on the status and conditions of the presence of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine dated May 31, 1997, a group of Russian ships and vessels of up to 388 units (of which 14 diesel submarines) may be located in Ukrainian territorial waters and on land ). The leased airfields in Gvardeysky and Sevastopol (Kach) can accommodate 161 aircraft. This is quite comparable to the power of the Turkish naval group. The said Agreement was concluded for 20 years. The term of the Agreement will be automatically extended for subsequent five-year periods unless either Party notifies the other Party in writing of the termination of the Agreement no later than one year before its expiration.

Despite this, for example, according to the Internet portal Flot.com dated March 26, 2009:

“Modernization of the ship composition of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Crimea is possible only with the consent of Ukraine. This was stated on March 25 by the press secretary of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Vasily Kirilich in response to media reports that the Russian Navy intends to transfer submarines to the Black Sea Fleet.

The replacement of weapons of the Black Sea Fleet should occur only with the consent of Ukraine, which is provided for in the agreement on the division of the Black Sea Fleet of 1997, and only after both parties have signed regulatory documents, Kirilich clarified.

The Ukrainian side is against the replenishment of the Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Ukraine with combat units, but the replacement must be carried out adequately, in accordance with the type and class of ships being replaced. This issue is not new and Ukraine’s position on it is well known to the Russian side, Kirilich added.

Earlier, Deputy Chief of the Main Staff of the Russian Navy, Vice Admiral Oleg Burtsev, said that the Black Sea Fleet should have at least 8-10 submarines and will be replenished with them. “Ukraine views this not as a renewal of the fleet, but as the supply of a new type of weapon,” he commented on the statement of the Ukrainian side.”

Chronicle of political confrontation

According to the leadership of the Russian Federation, the aggravation of relations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation was caused by the election in 2004 of the new President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko, who, being the guarantor of the Constitution of Ukraine, is obliged to guarantee compliance with the requirements of part 7 of article 17 of the Constitution of Ukraine, which states that “on the territory of Ukraine there is no the placement of foreign military bases is allowed,” as well as paragraph 14 of the Transitional Provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine, which states that “the use of existing military bases on the territory of Ukraine for the temporary stay of foreign military units is possible on lease terms in the manner determined by international treaties of Ukraine ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine "

On the night of January 18-19, the Black Sea Fleet command blocked the entry of equipment into the Crimean Sarych lighthouse by placing an armored personnel carrier on its territory. In addition, the command introduces armed units of marines to the four main Crimean lighthouses - Aytodorsky, Evpatoriya, Tarkhankutsky and Sarych. In connection with the unauthorized relocation of military equipment to Cape Sarych, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine sends a note of protest to Russia.

The developments are reminiscent of a similar Russian-Ukrainian confrontation in 2003, when a dispute over several islands of the Tuzla Spit in the Kerch Strait, whose total area is about 3 km², almost escalated into a military clash. In December 2003, the “intervention” of the Russian president was required to resolve the crisis around the Tuzla Spit together with the Ukrainian president.

Representatives of Ukrainian nationalist organizations constantly picket Russian naval facilities in Crimea, demanding to “stop the occupation of Ukraine.”

Ships of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy.

In December, the plans of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to redeploy troops to the Ukrainian-Russian border were made public, but after solving problems with gas transit through the territory of Ukraine and the price of gas for Ukraine, these plans were forgotten.

On June 23, Ukrainian police detained a service bus of the Black Sea Fleet with 30 sailors who were en route to Mount Opuk to the Marine training site. The verification of documents lasted more than 20 hours and ended with the drawing up of reports on an administrative offense under the article “Violation of the rules of stay in Ukraine by foreigners and stateless persons” and one of the servicemen being admitted to a military hospital with heat stroke. Previously, similar cases also occurred. Ukrainian police officers referred to their implementation of Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 705/2008 dated August 13, 2008 “On the situation around movements related to the activities of military units of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation outside their places of deployment on the territory of Ukraine.” At the same time, the fleet command sent a protest to the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in Sevastopol. In the document, the Russian Black Sea Fleet demands that the police “immediately stop illegal actions” against Black Sea sailors.

In June 2009, the chairman of the SBU, Valentin Nalyvaichenko, stated that FSB officers should leave the territory of Ukraine, citing that the protocol between the FSB and the SBU, signed on January 25, 2000, violates Ukrainian legislation. On December 10, 2009, it was reported that all military counterintelligence officers of the FSB of the Russian Federation who worked in Sevastopol for the Russian Black Sea Fleet left the territory of Ukraine, fulfilling the requirement of the SBU.

2010 2011

According to the decision of the Economic Court of Crimea dated August 2 of this year, the lighthouses of the Russian Black Sea Fleet were to be seized by Ukrainian bailiffs. In particular, bailiffs had to return to Ukraine two stations of the RS-10 radio navigation system located in Yevpatoria and on the territory of the Tarkhankut lighthouse; 6 lighthouses, 9 navigation signs and other equipment located along the Crimean coast were also subject to confiscation.

On August 21, activists of the youth organization “Student Brotherhood” began a civil action with the aim of intensifying the activities of the executive service to return the Crimean lighthouses to Ukraine: they entered the territory of the Sarych lighthouse, cut off the barbed wire and hung signs “Facility of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine.” 8 people were detained by sailors of the Black Sea Fleet and handed over to the arriving Ukrainian police. On August 23, activists of the same youth organization set up pickets in Sevastopol near the Chersonesos lighthouse of the Black Sea Fleet, demanding its transfer to Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted that they have a negative attitude towards attempts by representatives of public organizations to penetrate the territory of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, since this could lead to tragic consequences.

On October 19, Russia and Ukraine were unable to sign an agreement on replacing the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet with new ones. The Ukrainian side put forward conditions under which Russia had to coordinate with it every step to replace ships, provide a full list of weapons for new ships, and conclude contracts for their maintenance with Ukrainian ship repair enterprises. The same applies to ground equipment, coastal systems, and aviation.

On March 6, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Anatoly Serdyukov, asked to take 440 apartments of the Russian Black Sea Fleet into the balance of Sevastopol. The reason was stated to be the high price of gas.

On April 20, the Russian side asked Ukraine to abolish $15,000,000 in taxes on cargo entering the country for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. At the same time, Russia promises to use the freed up funds to promote the socio-economic development of Sevastopol and other populated areas where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is stationed.

Fleet commanders

The commanders of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are listed here. For lists of commanders of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Empire and the Black Sea Fleet of the USSR Navy, see the relevant articles.

Current state

The roster of the Red Banner Black Sea Fleet (2011)

30th Surface Combat Division
Type Name Manufacturer Airborne number Bookmark date Launching Commissioning State
Cruisers - 1
Project 1164 missile cruiser, Atlant type "Moscow" Plant named after 61 Communards (Nikolaev) 121 05.11.1976 27.07.1979 30.12.1982 In service.

The flagship of the fleet.

In 1991-1999 underwent a major overhaul and modernization. Re-equipped from the Basalt anti-ship missile system to the Vulcan anti-ship missile system

11th Anti-Submarine Ship Brigade Based in Sevastopol. Includes the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, the guards missile cruiser "Moskva" (project 1164), two large anti-submarine ships of project 1134 "Kerch" and "Ochakov" (the latter is not in service) and patrol ships "Smetlivy" (project 61M), "Ladny" and “Inquisitive” (both - project 1135). 197th Landing Ship Brigade Based in Sevastopol. Includes large landing ships of Project 1171 Nikolai Filchenkov, Orsk (not in service) and Saratov, as well as Project 775 and 775M Azov, Novocherkassk, Caesar Kunikov and Yamal. 166th Division of Small Missile Ships Based in Sevastopol (Kurinaya Bay). It consists of Project 1239 Bora and Samum hovercraft, as well as Project 12341 Mirage and Shtil small missile ships. 295th Missile Boat Battalion Based in Sevastopol (Karantinnaya Bay). Includes missile boats R-71 (project 12411R), R-109, R-239, R-60 and R-334-Ivanovets (project 12411).

247th separate submarine division

Based in Sevastopol. Consists of two diesel submarines: B-871 "Alrosa" and B-380 "Saint Prince George" (the latter is under repair).

68th brigade of water area security ships

400th division of anti-submarine ships Based in Sevastopol. Includes four small anti-submarine ships: MPK-49 "Aleksandrovets" (project 1124), MPK-118 "Suzdalets" and MPK-134 "Muromets" (project 1124M), MPK-220 "Vladimirets" (project 11451). 418th minesweeper division Based in Sevastopol. Includes four Project 266M sea minesweepers: “Ivan Golubets”, “Vice Admiral Zhukov”, “Turbinist” and “Kovrovets”.

422 separate division of hydrographic vessels of the State Black Sea Fleet Based in Sevastopol, b. South. Vessels pr.861 (GS "Cheleken"), 862/II (GS "Svor" and GS "Donuzlav"), 872/II (MSS "GS-402"), plus large and small hydrographic boats. The last commander of the division is captain 2nd rank Chizhov Dmitry Ivanovich. In February 2012, in connection with organizational measures carried out in the RF Armed Forces, 422 odngs ceased to exist. Instead, a group of ships was created, the group captain of which was Alexey Vasilyevich Pogrebnyakov - http://www.kvvmku.ru/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2087&sid=. In addition, the service department of OJSC "Slavyanka" kicked out of the building at Suvorov, 4. Now they huddle on Gogol, 37.

Coastal troops of the Black Sea Fleet

11th separate coastal missile and artillery brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

Based in Anapa.

810th Marine Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

Based in Sevastopol. Based in Temryuk.

1096th separate anti-aircraft missile regiment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

Based in Sevastopol.

431st Naval Reconnaissance Station

Based in Tuapse

Naval Aviation Black Sea Fleet

7057th mixed airbase of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

Kacha airfield is based.

Assault Squadron 7057 AvB Russian Black Sea Fleet

The Gvardeyskoye airfield is based.

Black Sea Fleet exercises

Combat operations of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

Basing of the Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine

Russia leases most of the quay walls of the port of Sevastopol for parking more than 30 warships and vessels. The headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet, a central communications center, a naval hospital, the 1096th anti-aircraft missile regiment, the 810th separate marine regiment, the 17th arsenal, and a yacht club are also based in Sevastopol.

The total number of Black Sea Fleet in Crimea is about 14,000 people.

In March 2005, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov stated that Sevastopol would remain the main naval base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet at least until 2017. Despite the construction of a naval base in Novorossiysk, there are no plans to transfer the Black Sea Fleet headquarters and naval personnel there. In 2010, the so-called Kharkov agreements were signed between Russia and Ukraine, according to which the basic agreement on the lease of ship bases in Sevastopol was extended until 2042 with the right to further extension for another 5 years. The lease of the naval base in Sevastopol costs Russia $98 million a year and is paid for by Russian gas supplies.

Commissioning of new ships

May 15, 2012 In Novorossiysk, a solemn ceremony of raising the naval flag on the special purpose boat “Grachonok” of project 21980 took place. 2011
  • Road tug pr.90600:The road tug "RB-389" was laid down in St. Petersburg at the Leningrad Shipyard "Pella" OJSC in 2010 (serial number 925), launched in July 2010. 03/02/2011 on the road tug "RB" -389 "in Novorossiysk, the flag of the Navy's auxiliary fleet was raised. Despite its small size, the vessel has ample capabilities, many technical innovations have been introduced on it. The total displacement of the vessel is 417 tons. The full speed is 12 knots, it is provided by two powerful engines. The traction force on the towing hook is about 25 tons. The tug is equipped with modern radio electronics, the ship's control is fully computerized. The tug's crew is 12 people. The tug will be part of the team of auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet. Another vessel of a similar project is planned to arrive to the fleet in June of this year.
2007-2009
  • Project 11770 landing craft, code "Serna" DKA-144:Built in 2007 at the Volga Shipyard OJSC, and in the same year it was transferred to Novorossiysk for acceptance tests. On February 19, 2008, it raised the St. Andrew's flag and became part of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation. Enlisted in the water area protection unit Novorossiysk naval base, board number - “575”.
  • Sea minesweeper pr.02668, code "Aquamarine" Vice Admiral Zakharyin: Created according to the design of the Almaz design bureau and is a prototype on which the latest technologies are being tested - a logical continuation of the minesweepers Project 266ME. Laid down at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in 1994. Initially, it was built according to project 266ME (serial number 879) for the Vietnamese Navy, but in 2000, conversion began according to the new project 02668. Launched on May 26, 2006. Currently undergoing state tests based at the Leningrad Naval Base (Lomonosov Harbor).
In the summer of 2008, the MTSH "Vice Admiral Zakharyin" made the transition by inland waterways from the village of Pontonny of the Leningrad naval base to Novorossiysk. By order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, a commission was appointed to conduct state tests, after which the ship will be accepted into service with the Navy and the St. Andrew's flag will be raised on it. “This is a fundamentally new and so far the only representative of minesweepers equipped with a fifth-generation mine search system,” said a representative of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. On January 17, 2009, he was enlisted in the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy.

see also

  • Black Sea Fleet during the Great Patriotic War
  • Black Sea Merchant Fleet
  • Naval Forces of Ukraine (Black Sea Fleet of the Ukrainian Navy)

Links

  • Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine, Infographics, RIA Novosti
  • Sevastopol hostages, Kiev Telegraph, Alexander Levin, March 25, 2008
  • Vladimir Shcherbakov The Black Sea is a zone of confrontation. HBO (September 5, 2008). “We continue to lose our positions in the Black Sea basin.” Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
  • "NOMOS" - Center for promoting the study of geopolitical problems and Euro-Atlantic cooperation in the Black Sea region

Notes

  1. Russian Navy: Russia can increase the number of its ships in Sevastopol to a hundred, and the number of its personnel to 25 thousand - Russian News - REGNUM news agency
  2. RosBusinessConsulting - News of the day - S. Ivanov: The Russian Black Sea Fleet may leave Sevastopol in 2017.
  3. Already according to data for 2004, even the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy taken together could not compete with the Turkish navy.
  4. Russia sent Ukraine a note of regret about the incident in Crimea
  5. Ukraine takes away lighthouses at sea from Russia
  6. Battle for the lighthouses - until first blood?
  7. The head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry goes to Moscow
  8. Russia replaced the armored personnel carrier at the lighthouse with a crane
  9. [email protected]: The Black Sea Fleet will celebrate Navy Day in difficult conditions
  10. [email protected]: Kyiv demands to cancel the anniversary parade of ships of the Black Sea Fleet

Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy

Emblem of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy

Total information

Number of members

Technique (as of March 2014):

  • Underwater equipment - 1;
  • Surface equipment - 47;
  • Personnel - 25,000 people.

Military conflicts

War in South Ossetia (2008),
Crimean crisis (2014)

Order of the Red Banner

The Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation is the operational-strategic association of the Navy of the Russian Federation on the Black Sea. Successor to the Black Sea Fleet of the USSR and the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Empire

History of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

After the collapse of the USSR, from August 1992, the Black Sea Fleet existed as a joint fleet of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. In 1995-97 The Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation and the Ukrainian Navy were created with separate basing on the territory of Ukraine. In 1997, Russia and Ukraine entered into a basic agreement. The lease terms for the base are $98 million. Duration of stay is until May 28, 2017.

On April 21, 2010, the Presidents of the Russian Federation and Ukraine Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Yanukovych in Kharkov signed an Agreement on the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Ukraine (ratified by the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on April 27, 2010). The stay of the Russian base in the Black Sea was extended by 25 years (until 2042) with the right to extend it for the next five-year period if neither side declares the need to terminate this agreement.

On April 2, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law terminating four Russian-Ukrainian agreements on the Black Sea Fleet from 1997 and 2010.

Organization

The Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy includes surface and submarine forces, coastal fleet forces and their constituent marine units, coastal defense troops and naval aviation.

In addition, the Black Sea Fleet includes ships and vessels, special purpose units, private units, logistics units and the Hydrographic Service of the Navy.

Base points

The main bases of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy are the Sevastopol and Novorossiysk naval bases.

The main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is the Sevastopol Naval Base, which is located on the administrative territory of the hero city of Sevastopol and is located in three bays of this city - Northern, Southern and Karantinnaya and has several berths.

The second base is Novorossiysk Naval Base. It is the youngest association of the Russian Navy and is located on the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea.

The main tasks of the NVMB are to assist the forces of the Southern Military District in the coastal direction, protect the state border of Russia in cooperation with the forces of the border troops, ensure the deployment of fleet forces, as well as ensure military maritime transport.

The Crimean naval base is a heterogeneous operational-territorial association of the Black Sea Fleet of the USSR Navy and the Russian Navy, which existed in 1976-1996 and was recreated in 2014.

Equipment and weapons

As of 2014, the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy includes the 11th brigade of anti-submarine ships, the 197th brigade of landing ships, the 68th brigade of water area security ships, the 41st brigade of missile boats, which are based in Sevastopol, and the 184th brigade Water District Protection, based in Novorossiysk.

Prefix of ships and vessels

Ships and vessels belonging to the Russian Navy currently do not have prefixes in their names.

Marks of Excellence

Andrey FEDOROVYKH - graduate student of the Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Scientific analysis of the events associated with the collapse of the Russian Empire and the USSR, which manifested themselves especially acutely in the Black Sea region, has important theoretical and practical significance. In particular, the problem of the status of the Black Sea Fleet of the former USSR and its main naval base - the city of Sevastopol, today is perhaps the least studied, despite the active discussion of these issues at the interstate and public levels and, as a consequence, the presence of a large amount of different literature about this theme.

In accordance with the Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation, approved by the President of Russia V.V. Putin, the protection of the territory of the Russian Federation from maritime directions, its sovereignty over internal sea waters, the territorial sea, including the Black Sea region, “belongs to the category of the highest state priorities”1. At the same time, the document sets the task of maintaining the basing of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol for the long term. Following the results of the Meeting on military-diplomatic issues of the Azov-Black Sea region on September 17, 2003, the President of the Russian Federation emphasized that this is a zone of strategic interests of Russia, which “provides direct access for Russia to the most important global transport routes, including energy ones.” At the same time, the real challenges to the security of the Russian Federation in the Azov-Black Sea region are the activity of terrorist structures, ethnic crime and illegal immigration. In order to strengthen the position of the Russian Federation in the region, a decision was made to create an additional base for the Black Sea Fleet in Novorossiysk. At the same time, it was emphasized that the decision to develop the Black Sea Fleet basing system on the Caucasian coast of Russia “does not mean that we will leave our main base in Sevastopol”2. The problem of the Black Sea Fleet and Sevastopol became one of the most complex consequences of the collapse of the USSR. However, the possibility of its occurrence was hidden for about forty years in the decision of the top leadership of the USSR in 1954 to transfer the Crimean region from the RSFSR to the Ukrainian SSR. This decision meant “a break in the historical continuity of the state-territorial structure”3 of the Russian Federation, without taking into account the interests and opinions of its multinational people. The idea of ​​the inviolability of the USSR, the underestimation of the internal contradictions of the Soviet federation and the role of the national factor led to the oblivion of the historical experience of largely similar events during the collapse of the Russian Empire, accompanied by an intense struggle for the Black Sea Fleet, Sevastopol and Crimea. After the collapse of the USSR, the military-political problem of the Black Sea Fleet turned out to be inextricably linked with the territory of its Main Base - the city of Sevastopol - and the potentially conflicting ethnopolitical situation in Crimea, where the majority of the population was in favor of reunification with Russia. This circumstance led to the particular complexity of the situation and the search for political ways to solve it. Stability and interethnic harmony as a whole in the Black Sea region and the Caucasus largely depended on the choice of a political path to resolve the problem of the Black Sea Fleet and Sevastopol. According to one of the authoritative experts in this field, V.A. Pechenev, the Black Sea Fleet has always been and remains “the most important component of a unified system for ensuring Russia’s strategic interests in the entire Black Sea-Caspian region”4. The problem of the Black Sea Fleet and Sevastopol turned out to be so complex that at the highest state level at times it seemed almost insoluble. Ultimately achieving compromise political and legal solutions on the issue of the Black Sea Fleet and Sevastopol becomes particularly relevant in the context of the Russian Federation’s interest in maintaining its naval presence in Sevastopol and Crimea after 2017 - the deadline for the presence of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol and Crimea, according to what was achieved in 1997 agreements with the Ukrainian side.

Chronologically, the problem of the status of the Black Sea Fleet covers the period from the end of 1991 - beginning of 1992, when this issue first arose at the interstate level, which immediately led to confrontation and the subsequent protracted crisis in Russian-Ukrainian relations - to 2000, when the division process was largely completed inheritance of the former Red Banner Black Sea Fleet of the USSR and on its basis the Naval Forces of Ukraine and the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation were finally formed. By this time, the problem of the status of Sevastopol as the main naval base of two fleets on the Black Sea was also formally resolved. The intermediate date is May 28, 1997, when, in preparation for the signing of the “Grand Treaty” on friendship and cooperation between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, three intergovernmental Agreements on the Black Sea Fleet were signed. Thus, the “process of determining the fate” of the Black Sea Fleet of the former USSR was formally completed. Thus, in the history of the Black Sea Fleet problem, two large chronological periods can be distinguished - the first - from 1992 to 1997 - a period of difficult negotiations at the interstate and interdepartmental level in the context of constantly emerging conflict situations and crisis phenomena in relations between Russia and Ukraine. The next period (June 1997 - end of 2000) represents an equally complex process of filling the main provisions of the agreements reached at the interstate level with concrete content.

In the fate of the Armed Forces of the former USSR, the events of 1991 were of decisive importance, when, along with the “parade of sovereignties” of the former Soviet republics, the principle of “new independent states - their own armed formations” began to be strictly implemented. The most painful process of dividing and determining the status of the Soviet inheritance took place in Ukraine. The danger of this situation was largely due to the fact that after the collapse of the Union, most of the weapons and facilities of the Red Banner Black Sea Fleet, the largest, more than 100,000-strong strategic group of the former unified USSR Navy with an uncertain status, ended up on its territory.

With the collapse of the Union, the Black Sea Fleet found itself in an extremely difficult situation. The situation developed as follows. On August 24, 1991, Ukraine, in accordance with the Act of Declaration of Independence and the results of the all-Ukrainian referendum, began to build a sovereign independent state, the guarantor of the security and territorial integrity of which was to be its own armed forces5. In accordance with the resolution of the Supreme Council of Ukraine “On military formations in Ukraine,” all military formations stationed on its territory were formally subordinated to the Supreme Council of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was created. On December 6, 1991, the Supreme Council of Ukraine adopted the law “On the Armed Forces” and “On Defense,” officially proclaiming the creation of its national armed forces on the basis of associations, formations and units of the USSR Armed Forces that were stationed on its territory. On December 8, in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus signed the Agreement on the Commonwealth of Independent States6. The USSR finally ceased to exist. This was preceded by a meeting in the Union Ministry, at which the defense ministers of the sovereign states that were still part of the USSR agreed on a shared participation in the formation of the country's military budget. Even then, Ukraine firmly declared its intention to create its own army. Other problems were also not resolved, which generally did not allow reaching a consensus on issues of defense and security. With the formation of the CIS, any attempts to prevent the division of the Armed Forces by Ukrainian leaders were considered a violation of the laws of Ukraine and interference in its internal affairs.

Clarity to the current situation was brought to a certain extent by the meeting of the heads of state of the Commonwealth, held on December 30, 1991 in Minsk, during which the CIS member countries signed a number of documents on military issues, according to which the Ministry of Defense of the former Union was subject to liquidation, and instead The Main Command of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States was created. The CIS states received the right to create their own armed forces on the basis of units and units of the USSR Armed Forces that were stationed on the territory of these states, with the exception of those that were recognized as “strategic forces” and were supposed to remain under the unified command of the CIS7. However, subsequent events showed that the leaders who signed the package of military documents did not have a common idea of ​​what is included in the understanding of “strategic forces”, nor what should be the status and conditions for the deployment of these forces on the territory of the new states.

The fleet had the status of an operational-strategic formation. However, it is precisely this status, the implementation of which is possible only if the unity of the fleet is preserved in the entire interconnection of its structure as an association, that was subject to revision by the political leadership of Ukraine and its Ministry of Defense. The basis of their position was a different interpretation of the agreements reached in Minsk. In fact, Ukraine initially set a course for dividing the Black Sea Fleet. Naturally, the leadership of Russia, in fact the legal successor of the Union, the personnel and command of the Black Sea Fleet and the largely pro-Russian population of Crimea and Sevastopol could not agree with this. A confrontation began that lasted a total of more than five years, during which the parties several times found themselves on the verge of open confrontation.

Events around the Black Sea Fleet after the collapse of the USSR developed as follows.

In October 1991, the Supreme Council of Ukraine decided to subordinate the Black Sea Fleet to Ukraine. On April 5, 1992, President of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk signed the Decree “On the transfer of the Black Sea Fleet to administrative subordination to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.”

On April 7, 1992, President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin issued a Decree “On the transfer of the Black Sea Fleet to the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.”

The “War of Decrees” ended with the meeting of Boris Yeltsin and Leonid Kravchuk on June 23, 1992 in Dagomys. An agreement was signed on the further development of interstate relations, which indicates the need to continue the negotiation process on the creation of the Russian Navy and the Ukrainian Navy on the basis of the Black Sea Fleet.

On August 3, 1992, high-level Russian-Ukrainian negotiations took place in Mukhalatka near Yalta. The Presidents of Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement on the principles of forming the Russian Navy and the Ukrainian Navy on the basis of the Black Sea Fleet of the former USSR, according to which the Black Sea Fleet becomes the United Fleet of Russia and Ukraine with a unified command. The parties agreed that within three years the issue of dividing the Black Sea Fleet would be resolved. Thus, the first protracted crisis in interstate relations was resolved.

On June 17, 1993, negotiations between Boris Yeltsin and Leonid Kravchuk took place in the Moscow region. An agreement was signed on the formation of the fleets of the two states on the basis of the Black Sea Fleet.

On September 3, 1993, in Massandra (Crimea), at a working meeting of the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, a protocol was signed, according to which the Black Sea Fleet with all its infrastructure in Crimea will be used by Russia.

On April 15, 1994, in Moscow, the presidents of Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement on a phased settlement of the Black Sea Fleet problem, according to which the Ukrainian Navy and the Russian Black Sea Fleet are based separately. In accordance with the agreement, Ukraine should receive up to 20% of the Black Sea Fleet vessels.

On February 7–8, 1995, an agreement was reached in Kyiv on the basing of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.

On June 9, 1995, a meeting between Boris Yeltsin and the new President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma took place in Sochi. An agreement was signed according to which the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian Naval Forces are based separately; the main base and headquarters of the fleet are located in the city of Sevastopol; property issues must be resolved taking into account the previously reached agreement on dividing property in half. 81.7% of the vessels are transferred to Russia, 18.3% of the vessels are transferred to Ukraine.

On May 28, 1997, final intergovernmental agreements were signed in Kyiv on the status and conditions of the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Ukraine, on the parameters of the division of the Black Sea Fleet, on mutual settlements related to the division of the fleet and the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on Ukrainian territory8. The Ukrainian parliament ratified these documents on March 24, 1999. The State Duma ratified it on June 18, 1999.

Graphically, the process of dividing the ships and vessels of the Black Sea Fleet can be depicted as follows: (see Appendix 1 on p. 104).

The situation of uncertainty of the legal status and future fate of the Black Sea Fleet that persisted for more than five years had an extremely unfavorable effect on its combat effectiveness. What happened to the Black Sea Fleet in the period from 1991 to 1997 was perceived by many as the process of its death. Indeed, if we approach it from a formal point of view, the Black Sea Fleet of 1991 is not comparable to the Black Sea Fleet of 1997. This conclusion can be reached by comparing the data at the time of the conclusion of the Russian-Ukrainian agreements:

In 1991, the Black Sea Fleet numbered about 100 thousand personnel and 60 thousand workers and employees, and included 835 ships and vessels of almost all existing classes. Including: 28 submarines, 2 anti-submarine cruisers, 6 missile cruisers and large anti-submarine ships of rank I, 20 BODs of rank II, destroyers and patrol ships of rank II, about 40 TFR, 30 small missile ships and boats, about 70 minesweepers, 50 landing ships ships and boats, more than 400 naval aviation units. The organizational structure of the fleet included 2 divisions of ships (anti-submarine and amphibious assault), 1 division of submarines, 2 aviation divisions (fighter and naval attack missile carriers), 1 coastal defense division, dozens of brigades, individual divisions, regiments, and units. The forces of the Mediterranean squadron were in constant combat readiness. Every year, up to a hundred warships and vessels entered the world's oceans through the Black Sea straits. The fleet had an extensive network of bases from Izmail to Batumi (Izmail, Odessa, Nikolaev, Ochakov, Kiev, Chernomorskoye, Donuzlav, Sevastopol, Feodosia, Kerch, Novorossiysk, Poti, etc.), its units were stationed in Ukraine, Crimea, Moldova, Russia , Georgia, North Caucasus autonomies. According to experts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, by the beginning of 1992. the value of all Black Sea Fleet property, including warships, exceeded 80 billion US dollars.

The most complete data on the quantitative and qualitative composition of the Black Sea Fleet in 1992–1993. D. Clark, an expert on military issues in the analytical magazine RFE/RL Re¬search Report, cites in his publications. According to his assessment, “Despite the fact that the Black Sea Fleet, like the Baltic Fleet, is smaller than the Pacific and Northern fleets of the former USSR, it is still a formidable force, larger than most other fleets in the world, including NATO members other than the United States. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies9 (IISS), it has more than 400 ships, of which 45 are surface strike forces, of which the most significant are naval warships, including two guided-missile carrier cruisers "Moscow" and "Leningrad", three missile carriers with nuclear weapons, ten missile carriers and thirty missile frigates. The Navy's weakest part is its submarine component, which consists of 26 mostly obsolete diesel submarines... The strength of the Fleet's land-based aviation, however, more than compensates for this weakness. According to IISS estimates, this component includes 151 combat aircraft and 85 helicopters. Some Russian sources claim that there are even more of them, approximately 400 units, including 140 capable of carrying nuclear weapons and solving problems at long distances... The fleet also includes a marine brigade based in Sevastopol, and coastal defense units - a motorized rifle division in Simferopol". D. Clark determined the probable number of personnel as 75,000 officers and sailors.

In November 1996, the Black Sea Fleet included 383 surface combat ships, 56 combat boats, 49 special purpose ships, 272 boats and raid vessels, 190 support vessels, 5 submarines, a total of 655 units. The Ukrainian Navy included 80 ships and vessels of various classes.

According to the results of the Kyiv agreements of May 28, 1997, the Russian Black Sea Fleet consists of 338 ships and vessels. The number of personnel cannot exceed 25 thousand people, including 2 thousand in the Marine Corps and attack aviation. The fleet includes 106 aircraft, of which there cannot be more than 22 combat aircraft. Russia cannot have more than 24 artillery systems with a caliber of more than 100 mm; 132 armored vehicles. Of the 80 command posts of fleet associations and formations, 16 (20%) remain behind the Russian Black Sea Fleet, of 39 communication facilities - 11 (28%), of 40 radio-technical service facilities - 11 (27%), of 50 logistics facilities - 9 ( 18%), out of 16 facilities providing missile, artillery and mine-torpedo weapons - 5 (31%), out of 7 ship repair facilities - 3 (42%).

The Ukrainian Navy received 30 warships and boats, one submarine, 90 combat aircraft, 6 special purpose ships, as well as 28 support vessels.

Thus, after the division of the Black Sea Fleet, the ratio of warships in the Black Sea basin became 1:2.5 in favor of Turkey.

Russia still has three bases for its naval personnel - Sevastopol, Feodosia and temporarily - Nikolaev; one location for the deployment of coastal troops (Sevastopol). In Sevastopol, Russia can use three of the five main bays: Sevastopol, Yuzhnaya, Karantinnaya, and also Cossack for the deployment of the Black Sea Fleet marine brigade. Streletskaya Bay will be used jointly by the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Navy. Also, the Russian Black Sea Fleet can use two main airfields in Gvardeyskoye and in Kach (Sevastopol), two reserve airfields in Sevastopol (Khersones, Yuzhny), a military sanatorium in Yalta, a communications post and testing center in Feodosia and some other facilities outside of Sevastopol. Russia's rental of facilities and bases costs it $97.75 million a year, which is written off to pay off Ukraine's debt. Russia undertakes not to deploy nuclear weapons in Ukraine as part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet; in addition, the procedure for using most naval facilities is established by Kyiv. The routes for the movement of personnel and military equipment of the Black Sea Fleet are also determined by local authorities. According to Russian military doctrine, the Black Sea Fleet forces should consist of two operational-tactical groupings - Eastern with a base in Novorossiysk and Western with a base in Sevastopol, which retained the status of the main base of the Fleet10.

According to data published in early 2002, the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation includes more than 50 warships, over 120 auxiliary vessels, and about 430 units of military equipment and weapons. The Black Sea Fleet's aviation numbers about 90 aircraft and helicopters. In accordance with the agreements on the deployment of the Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Ukraine, a military group of at least 25,000 people, 24 artillery systems with a caliber of more than 100 mm, 132 armored vehicles, and 22 combat aircraft are located in Crimea. This number remains unchanged to this day. The Ukrainian Navy has about 40 warships and boats and about 80 auxiliary vessels. It should be noted that by this time the command of both fleets had generally managed to establish constructive cooperation after almost ten years of confrontation. This became possible largely because, despite all the difficulties, a political decision was made at the interstate level that put an end to the process of determining the fate of the Black Sea Fleet of the former USSR. Since 1999 The Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy conduct annual joint exercises within the framework of the Peace Fairway program and solve common problems in the Black Sea basin. Nevertheless, to this day there remain quite complex controversial issues related to the basing of both contingents, the military doctrines of the two countries, the status of the main base of the Black Sea Fleet - the city of Sevastopol, the attitude towards partnership with NATO, etc., which means the point in the negotiation the process on the Black Sea Fleet issue has not yet been addressed11.

Summing up the more than ten-year discussion on the Black Sea Fleet issue, it should be said that during many years of political battles over the Black Sea Fleet, none of the conflicting parties - neither Russia nor Ukraine - achieved their initially set goals. Initially (after the collapse of the USSR), the Russian political leadership apparently sought not to interfere in the course of the “objective process” of the transition of the Black Sea Fleet under the jurisdiction of the new independent Ukrainian state. However, the principled position taken by the command of the Black Sea Fleet and its personnel, despite the increasing pressure from the Ukrainian authorities and various political forces of Ukraine, aimed at forcing politicians of the two states to begin a negotiation process on the problem of the status of this part of the former USSR-CIS Navy with the goal of making a final political decision on this issue, forced the leadership of the two countries to enter into a dialogue at the interstate level, which lasted for many years and often brought both sides to the threshold of open confrontation. During the long-term negotiation process, the Russian side sought to retain the Black Sea Fleet as the successor of the USSR, and also to seriously strengthen itself on the shore, transferring under its jurisdiction most of the infrastructure of the Black Sea Fleet, along with its main naval base - the city of Sevastopol. At the same time, during the negotiations on the Black Sea Fleet issue, Russia’s actions were extremely inconsistent, due to the difficult internal political and economic situation in the country and the obvious reluctance of the top political leadership to take serious steps that could worsen the already difficult relations with Ukraine and thereby push it into the orbit of influence Western countries, and above all the USA and NATO. This was expressed in the readiness of the Russian side to make serious concessions during the preparation and signing of fundamental interstate agreements, which, as a result, bore traces of haste and legal negligence, largely did not correspond to reality and, therefore, did not contribute to the speedy resolution of the situation that had developed around the Black Sea Fleet dangerous political and economic situation. This policy was wrong and did not justify itself. As a result of more than ten years of negotiations on the problem of the status of the Black Sea Fleet on the territory of another state and its division between the two countries, accompanied by its sharp quantitative reduction, the Russian Federation, while formally remaining the legal successor of the Soviet Union, received only a small part of the Black Sea Fleet of the former USSR. At the same time, the Russian side was unable to defend its vision of the status of Sevastopol as the main base of its Black Sea Fleet, the status of the Black Sea Fleet as a single operational-strategic formation of the CIS Navy, as well as the principle of separate basing of fleets, and as a result did not receive at its disposal all the Black Sea Fleet’s sailing personnel and about 5% of the base territory and Fleet infrastructure facilities on extremely unfavorable lease terms. As a result, Russia actually lost a colossal part of the property of the former USSR, which it had every right to claim, and also significantly weakened its influence in the Black Sea region and the Mediterranean.

The Ukrainian side, declaring its rights to the Black Sea Fleet, sought to transfer under its jurisdiction this naval formation, if not entirely, then its best part, as well as all the infrastructure of the Black Sea Fleet located on its territory, often acting by illegal, violent methods , through the seizure and reassignment of military facilities of the Black Sea Fleet, and the creation of structures of the Ukrainian Naval Forces without permission, while violating the agreements reached at the interstate level on the division of the Fleet, which was greatly facilitated by the policy of concessions to Ukraine pursued by the political leadership of the Russian Federation, as well as the interest of Western countries in weakening the influence Russia in the Black Sea region. At the same time, the Ukrainian political and military leadership, receiving full financial and political support from the NATO bloc, interested in minimizing Russian influence in the strategically important Black Sea region, set a course for the actual destruction of the Black Sea Fleet, officially declaring its intention to create a small naval force to protect the borders of an independent state and, at the same time, trying to subordinate as many infrastructure facilities and ships of the Black Sea Fleet as possible to themselves, without being able at the same time to maintain them in proper combat readiness for economic, organizational and technical reasons. It was these actions of the Ukrainian side, coupled with the criminal indifference of the then Russian authorities, that caused sharp rejection among the command and personnel of the Black Sea Fleet, which made it impossible for Ukraine and its Western “allies” to realize their intentions regarding the Black Sea Fleet. During the fifteen years of its independence, Ukraine has failed to create full-fledged naval forces in the Black Sea capable of influencing the situation in the region. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian side managed to reassign most of the infrastructure of the Black Sea Fleet, formally confirm its jurisdiction over Sevastopol, and also force the Russian side to sign a major interstate agreement on extremely favorable terms. However, Russia, in turn, managed to retain even a small, but most combat-ready part of the Black Sea Fleet, its basis, and also defend the so-called. a “package” approach to the agreements reached and future negotiations with Ukraine on the issue of prolonging agreements on the Black Sea Fleet, according to which the Russian side intends to conduct all negotiations without exception strictly on the basis of the principles of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership of May 31, 1997 year and in inextricable connection with the Basic Agreements on the fleet of May 28, 1997, not allowing their revision or free interpretation on the part of Ukraine, in particular, under the threat of otherwise making territorial claims, etc.

In general, speaking about the results of the peculiar confrontation between Ukraine and Russia, it should be noted that the Russian side won the battle for the ships, but Ukraine retained the “land,” that is, Sevastopol and most of the coastal infrastructure. However, these are only visible results, behind which there is undoubtedly a deeper problem: the entire ten-year conflict between the two states associated with the Black Sea Fleet problem boiled down to one fundamental question: will independent Ukraine remain in the orbit of Russia’s military-political influence or will it gain independence from it? there will be a part of some other global military-political system. The dispute over the Black Sea Fleet was only one aspect of this problem and in many ways evidence of its discussion and solution. The results of this dispute can be determined as follows: Russia, of course, managed to some extent to maintain its presence in Crimea and a powerful lever of influence on the situation in the Black Sea region. The preservation of the Black Sea Fleet with its main base in Sevastopol indicates that Ukraine still remains in the orbit of Russian military-political strategy, however, Ukraine, having retained very serious positions, has turned from a simple object of Russian policy into a serious factor influencing this policy, without which it is quite difficult to imagine maintaining the “status quo” in the region in the future. Whether the current relationship between Russia and Ukraine will turn into a genuine partnership over time, or whether after the twenty-year lease period, disputes over the future fate of the Fleet will flare up with renewed vigor (which seems very likely in light of recent events in Ukraine) - time will tell.

1 Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation for the period until 2020. Approved by the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin on July 27, 2001 // Marine collection., 2001. No. 9. P. 5.

3 Abdulatipov R.G. The national question and the state structure of Russia., M., p. 12.

4 Pechenev V.A. Who benefits from returning Russia to pre-Petrine times? // Russian newspaper. 1996, September 24.

5 Russia-Ukraine (1990–2000) Documents and materials. T. 1. M., 2001. pp. 18–24.

6 Ibid. pp. 33–37.

7 Indestructible and legendary” in the fire of political battles of 1985–1993. M., 1994. S. 265–271; Shaposhnikov E.I. Choice. M., 1995. pp. 143–144.

8 See: Russia-Ukraine (1990–2000) Documents and materials. T.2. pp. 125–142.

10 Gorbachev S.P. Pessimistic tragedy... P. 26–27; Crimean Truth. 1992. No. 5. January 9; Myalo K.G. Decree. op. P. 144; D.L. Clark. The Saga of Black Sea Fleet... p. 45; Mirror of the Week. 1997 May 31; Tragedy of the Black Sea Fleet (1990–1997).//Moscow-Crimea. Vol. No. 2. M., 2000; http://legion.wplus.net/guide/navy/flots/cher_l.shtml; http://www.janes.com; http://www.Sevastopol.org.

11 Crimea Island. 1999. No. 2; Malgin A. Decree. op. P. 48; Kommersant-Vlast. 2002. No. 17–18.

After the events of 2014, Crimea again attracted the attention of not only Russians, but, perhaps, the whole world. And this is not only a matter of political scandal between two states - Russia and Ukraine. And it’s not the speed with which Russia carried out the Crimean operation. And the fact is that after the return of Crimea, Chernomorsky found a second life.

It is no secret that during the years of Ukraine’s ownership of the Crimean shores, the development of Crimea has greatly slowed down, and very few financial resources were allocated from the treasury for the maintenance of the peninsula. This also affected the naval bases of the Crimean Peninsula. In the article we will try to describe as fully as possible what prospects Russia has for the development of the Black Sea Fleet on the Crimean Peninsula.

Balaklava Bay. A little history

It is known from history that after Crimea came under Russian ownership, the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet were stationed in Balaklava Bay. Since 1776, the Balaklava Greek infantry battalion was located in this place. The basis of this battalion were emigrants who took part in the anti-Ottoman uprising on the islands of the Aegean Sea. It should be noted that Tsarina Catherine the Great herself noted her favor with the brave Hellenes.

From 1853 to 1856, during the Crimean War, Balaklava and the bay were captured by British troops. They turned Balaklava Bay into a military base and, in fact, assaults were carried out from there, and there was military support during the siege of Sevastopol.

When the fleet was divided between Ukraine and Russia, as of August 1994, the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea included the 153rd and 155th brigades of the 14th division.

At the same time, the 475th division had 14 large and 9 medium submarines and a floating submarine base.

But it must be said that the Zaporozhye submarine (project 641), transferred to Ukraine during the division of the fleet, turned out to be unsuitable for this base due to its technical parameters.

And after the division of the fleets, she was sent to the docks for repairs, which the Ukrainian Navy is still trying to carry out.

After Russian sailors finally left Ukrainian waters in 1995, the Balaklava base was abandoned. And its actual “owners” were hunters for non-ferrous and ferrous metals, since the base had huge reserves of equipment and machine tools.

And after a short period of time, when the Russian Black Sea Fleet left the territorial waters of Ukraine, the Balaklava base was a heartbreaking sight.

Also, the object of excursions around the city and the bay was the underground plant for the restoration and repair of Black Sea Fleet submarines. The top-secret base was actively used by the Soviet Union during the Cold War and as a nuclear weapons depot.

The Ukrainian authorities have not found a better use for the secret base, other than to conduct tourist excursions around the military underwater base.

How the Black Sea Fleet was divided

An agreement on the procedure and conditions for the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the territorial waters and ports of Ukraine was signed in Kyiv on May 28, 1997, following an intergovernmental agreement. The conditions for the division of the Black Sea Fleet and the mutual settlements associated with such division were also agreed upon. These documents were ratified by the State Duma and the Ukrainian Parliament in 1999.

The signed agreement made it possible to separate the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy. It was decided to leave the main base and headquarters in Sevastopol. And property differences should have been taken into account by an agreement on the division of property. At the same time, 87.7% went to Russia, and 12.3% of all ships went to Ukraine.

This entire period of agreeing on the legal status of the Black Sea Fleet and its future fate, of course, had a negative impact on its combat effectiveness. Many from 1991 to 1997. what was happening was perceived as the fact that the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy was slowly but surely dying.

Black Sea Fleet in numbers

Comparison of numerical strength during this period could not strengthen the morale of the personnel.

So let's compare the numbers.

1. Black Sea Fleet for 1991:

Personnel - 100 thousand people.

The number of ships is 835 of all existing classes:

  • submarines - 28;
  • missile cruisers - 6;
  • anti-submarine cruisers - 2;
  • BODs of rank II, destroyers and patrol ships of rank II - 20;
  • TFR - 40 units;
  • small ships and ships - 30;
  • minesweepers - 70;
  • landing ships - 50;
  • naval aviation - more than four hundred units.

2. Russian Black Sea Fleet for 1997:

  • The number of personnel is 25 thousand people. (including 2 thousand people in strike aviation and marines).
  • The number of ships and vessels is 33.
  • There are 106 aircraft in the fleet (of which 22 are combat).
  • Armored vehicles - 132.
  • Command posts - 16 (was 80).
  • Communication objects - 11 (out of 39).
  • Radio technical service facilities - 11 (from 40).
  • Rear facilities - 9 (out of 50).
  • Ship repair facilities - 3 (out of 7).

According to the 1997 section, the Ukrainian Navy consisted of:

  • Warships - 30.
  • Submarines - 1.
  • Combat aircraft - 90.
  • Special purpose ships - 6.
  • Support vessels - 28 units.

Current state of the Black Sea Fleet

Russia's Black Sea has always been and remains one of the main factors of stability and security in southern shipping routes. The combat ships of the Black Sea Fleet are doing everything possible to ensure these tasks on the borders of the Black and Mediterranean Seas.

But the Black Sea Fleet is able to carry out combat missions in different areas of the World Ocean.

Ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet successfully perform missions in the Sea of ​​Japan, interacting with the Baltic Fleet. Vessels from the command of this fleet participated in the transport escort operation for transporting Syrian chemical weapons in the Mediterranean Sea.

On an ongoing basis, Black Sea Fleet support ships successfully carry out counter-piracy missions.

Increase in combat level

The return of Crimea to the Russian structure undoubtedly improved the combat effectiveness of the Black Sea Fleet. The Russian Federation, on a planned basis, received the opportunity to properly develop the Navy on the Crimean Peninsula.

The naval forces will have a comprehensive system in Crimea, which will include land bases. The Russian Black Sea Fleet acquired the main base for the deployment of ships - Sevastopol.

The basic principles of deployment of fleet basing systems and infrastructure are self-sufficiency and functionality. It will be necessary to re-equip the bases of surface and submarine ships and coastal troops with everything necessary to ensure full-fledged service and livelihoods.

List of Black Sea Fleet vessels

The reference books provide detailed data by which you can assess what the Russian Black Sea Fleet is like today.

List of surface ships of the thirtieth division:

  • Gvardeysky
  • "Kerch" is a large anti-submarine ship.
  • Sentry
  • Patrol ship "Ladny".
  • Patrol ship "Inquisitive".

Composition of landing ships of the 197th brigade:

Large landing ships:

  • "Nikolai Filchenkov".
  • "Orsk".
  • "Saratov".
  • "Azov".
  • "Novocherkassk".
  • "Caesar Kunikov"
  • "Yamal".

Composition of the 68th Brigade of Security Ships:

Small anti-submarine ships:

  • "Alexandrovets".
  • "Muromets".
  • "Suzdalets".

Sea minesweepers:

  • "Kovrovets".
  • "Ivan Golubets"
  • "Turbinist".
  • "Vice Admiral Zhukov."

Submarines:

  • "Rostov-on-Don" - B237.
  • "Novorossiysk" - B261.
  • (ex-Zaporozhye) - B435.
  • "Alrosa" - B871.

Missile boats of the 41st brigade:

  • "Bora."
  • "Simoom".
  • "Calm".
  • "Mirage".

Composition of the 295th Sulina Division:

Missile boats:

  • "R-60".
  • "R-71".
  • "R-109".
  • "R-239".
  • "Ivanovets".

Composition of the 184th Brigade (Novorossiysk):

Anti-submarine ships:

  • "Povorino."
  • "Yesk".
  • "Kasimov".

Minesweepers:

  • "Zheleznyakov".
  • "Valentin Pikul."
  • "Vice Admiral Zakharyin."
  • "Mineral water".
  • "Lieutenant Ilyin."
  • "RT-46".
  • "RT-278".
  • "D-144".
  • "D-199".
  • "D-106".

It didn’t take long to find a site where the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet would be located. Sevastopol turned out to be the most suitable for this (in the same place where the headquarters of the Ukrainian Navy was located until March 19, 2014).

Prospects for the development of the submarine fleet

After the division of ships, the Black Sea people have one submarine in service - the diesel Alrosa.

Today, Russia has a program for the gradual build-up of the submarine armed forces of the Black Sea Fleet. The Russian Black Sea Fleet will see the results of these efforts as early as 2016.

By this time, six new diesel submarines are expected to be replenished. Such a replenishment of the submarine fleet will radically change the balance of power in the Black Sea.

The Black Sea Fleet will now be able to solve a variety of tasks at underwater depths and will create groupings to achieve combat goals.

The estimated dates for the commissioning of submarines are different. For example, already on August 22, 2015, the St. Petersburg flag was raised on the diesel-electric submarine Novorossiysk in St. Petersburg. After full-scale testing at the Northern Fleet's naval training ground, it will undoubtedly be sent to a long-term deployment location.

The third submarine from the series of ships for the Black Sea Fleet of program 636 - "Stary Oskol" - was launched on August 28, 2015. After a series of sea trials and state tests, it will take its place in the Black Sea Fleet.

But that's not all. The completion of the hull of the submarine "Krasnodar" continues and the launch of the "Rostov-on-Don" is being completed.

Two more submarines from the project to strengthen the submarine Black Sea Fleet - Kolpino and Veliky Novgorod - will be laid down.

All 6 submarines of the 636 diesel program are electric, and by 2016 they will be transferred to the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The crews for these submarines have been formed and are undergoing training at Navy training centers.

Carrier-based aircraft

Of course, the Black Sea Fleet is obliged to have full-fledged carrier-based aviation. Now there is an opportunity to increase the pace of renewal of the naval aviation fleet. It is planned to replace the Su-24 aircraft with the new Su-30 MS.

It is also important not to forget that the unique NITKA complex is located in Crimea. For many years, carrier-based aircraft of the Northern Fleet in Crimea have honed their skills on this unique complex.

The pace of repair of the existing aircraft fleet of the Black Sea Fleet is also increasing. All this will allow us to achieve the given level and provide aviation to the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The composition of aircraft ready to perform combat missions will be within 80% of the required quantity.

Recreation of the basing system

It is planned to recreate a basing system on the Crimean peninsula that will meet all the requirements for carrying out combat missions in the region.

The main base is located in the city of Sevastopol, and points for the deployment of the Black Sea Fleet will be located there.

The main requirement for the placement of basing systems is their full independence on the principle of ensuring functionality and self-sufficiency. This port, where the Russian Black Sea Fleet will be located, the composition of ships, both surface and underwater, will be provided with everything necessary for full-fledged service and life.

Thus, at factories in Crimea, production areas will be created in the shortest possible time that would meet modern requirements and technologies. In order to service the newest ships that are entering the Russian Black Sea Fleet, a phased replacement of machine tools with new ones begins.

Now the federal unitary enterprise in Sevastopol has literally come to life. Repairs have already been made to two large anti-submarine ships of the Northern Fleet (they are part of the Navy's operational unit in the Mediterranean).

Also, the plant is undergoing repair work on Alrosa. In addition, it should be noted that workers’ wages were brought to the national level.

Now the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol has received a modern repair base.

The same work is being carried out in Novorossiysk under the federal target program, which is designed until 2020. As part of this program, it is planned to build a location for the Black Sea Fleet forces in Novorossiysk. Just like Sevastopol, this port with its rare protective pier will undoubtedly be another combat location for Russian ships and submarines.

Equipment vessels for the Black Sea Fleet

To ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea region, Black Sea Fleet hydrographers have a large range of work to do. It will be necessary to conduct comprehensive studies of coastal waters, which will lead to adjustments to navigation maps. Black Sea Fleet hydrographic vessels check the operation of radio navigation systems with subsequent repair and modernization.

This entire complex of work will significantly affect the safety of navigation in this region, which, in turn, will protect the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the composition of which is constantly being replenished.

Thus, in order to comprehensively equip underwater submarines and surface vessels, the Black Sea Fleet will be replenished with six more ships, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on defense capability and will allow it to carry out tasks not only in the area of ​​​​responsibility provided by the Black Sea Fleet, but also beyond it.

Small missile ships of Project 1234.1 are a further development of Project 1234. They received powerful weapons and more advanced electronic equipment. RTOs are designed to destroy surface ships and enemy fleet formations in far and near sea zones, cover convoy and landing operations of fleet forces, and patrol in specified areas.
"Mirage"(1986, tail number 617),
"Calm"(1978, tail number 620).


Small anti-submarine ships of Project 1124M are a further development of Project 1124. They received more powerful weapons, a new sonar and advanced electronic equipment. The ships of this project are designed to search and destroy enemy submarine forces in far and near sea zones, provide anti-aircraft defense and air defense to fleet formations, cover convoy and landing operations of fleet forces, and patrol in specified areas. They were built in several series, which differ slightly in performance characteristics. Project 1124M MPKs are the main escort ships of the Russian Navy.
As part of the Black Sea Fleet:
MPK-118 "Suzdalets"(1983, tail number 071),
MPK-134 "Muromets"(1982, tail number 064),
MPK-199 "Kasimov"(1986, tail number 055),
MPK-207 "Povorino"(1989, tail number 053),
MPK-217 "Eysk"(1989, tail number 054).

The small anti-submarine ship "Aleksandrovets" of Project 1124 is designed to search and destroy enemy submarine forces in far and near sea zones, provide anti-submarine warfare and air defense to fleet formations, cover convoy and landing operations of fleet forces, and patrol in specified areas. The ships of this project were the main escort ships of the USSR Navy. They were built in several series. The MPC received modern air defense and anti-aircraft weapons, two sonar systems, and new radio-electronic equipment. "Alexandrovets" is the last operational ship of the project.
In the fleet since 1982

The small anti-submarine ship "Vladimirets" of Project 1145.1 is a further development of Project 1141. It received new weapons, more advanced sonar and electronic equipment, and the design of the ship was improved. As a power plant, it received economical gas turbines, which allows it to provide a wide range of speeds and operating modes. Small anti-submarine ships are unique in their design - they are equipped with fixed-type hydrofoils with automatically controlled flaps. Project 1145.1 MPKs are designed to search and destroy enemy submarine forces in far and near sea zones, provide anti-aircraft defense and air defense to fleet formations, cover convoy and landing operations of fleet forces, and patrol in specified areas. IPCs on PC have no analogues in any fleet in the world. "Vladimirets" is the last active ship in the series.
In the fleet since 1991


The sea minesweeper "Zheleznyakov" of Project 12660 is a new generation mine-resistant ship, which has received modern weapons, electronic equipment, and means of searching and destroying mines. For the first time in the Russian fleet, it can search for mines directly along the ship's path. MTSH is designed to search and destroy mines in far and near sea zones, cover convoy and landing operations of naval forces, and patrol in specified areas. MTSH Project 12660 are the most advanced mine-resistant ships of the Russian Navy.
In the fleet since 1988

The sea minesweeper "Vice Admiral Zakharyin" of project 02668 is a further development of project 266M. The ship received new weapons, mine-anti-mine systems (for example, GAS Livadia) and radio-electronic equipment. The minesweeper can search for mines directly along the ship's path. It is designed to search and destroy mines in far and near sea zones, cover convoy and landing operations of naval forces, and patrol in specified areas.
In the fleet since 2009

The sea minesweeper "Valentin Pikul" of Project 266ME is a further development of Project 266M. The ship received new weapons, mine protection systems and electronic equipment. The minesweeper is designed to search and destroy mines in far and near sea zones, cover convoy and landing operations of naval forces, and patrol in specified areas.
In the fleet since 2001

Sea minesweepers of Project 266M are a further development of Project 266. They received new weapons and mine protection systems, and the design of the ship was improved. Minesweepers are designed to search and destroy mines in far and near sea zones, cover convoy and landing operations of naval forces, and patrol in specified areas. They were the main type of mine-resistant ship in the maritime zone of the USSR Navy.
As part of the Black Sea Fleet:
"Vice Admiral Zhukov"(1978, tail number 909),
"Ivan Golubets"(1973, tail number 911),
"Turbinist"(1972, tail number 912),
"Kovrovets"(1974, tail number 913).

Basic minesweepers of Project 1265 are designed to search and destroy mines in the near sea and base zones, cover convoy and landing operations of naval forces, and patrol in specified areas. They were produced in several series, which differed slightly in performance characteristics. This project was the main type of mine-resistant ship in the base zone of the USSR Navy.
As part of the Black Sea Fleet:
BT-40 "Lieutenant Ilyin"(1982, tail number 438),
BT-241 "Mineralnye Vody"(1990, tail number 426).



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