Satellite images record an unusual flux of moving dots in the waters of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Baltic and Caspian Seas. We are not talking about the arrival of a strange weather front, but about a huge Russian battle fleet deployed in five seas. A reality that has not happened for more than three decades.

Putin’s word. The action is part of the Ocean-2024 naval military exercises. The fact is that this type of combat simulation is not new, but in this case it acquires a special character. The Russian Armed Forces conducted military exercises of this size at sea for the first time in 30 years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin even joined the active phase of the exercises via video link with a green light message. “The active phase begins, where the most difficult tasks will be worked out as close as possible to real combat missions. This is the first time in 30 years that we have conducted an exercise of this magnitude at sea.”

What exactly are we talking about? Okean-2024 is the name of the joint military exercises of the Russian Navy with the participation of several allied countries in 2024. Genesis aims to demonstrate Russian naval power and strengthen military cooperation between the participating countries.

Currently, it will include exercises in a variety of maritime and littoral scenarios involving submarines, warships, aircraft and marine infantry units. The main focus will be on maritime defence, anti-submarine operations, combating air threats and maritime logistics coordination.

Ocean-2024 in geopolitical context. Obviously, this is another one of the legs. The importance of the exercises lies in their scale and geopolitical context. Russia uses these exercises not only to improve the readiness and coordination of its armed forces, but also as a show of strength and power in the context of global tensions, especially with NATO and other Western powers, against the background of the Ukrainian war.

In addition, the size of the Okean-2024 exercise aims to strengthen the country’s image as a naval power capable of operating in multiple areas simultaneously, while strengthening military ties with its allies and reflecting its influence in key regions of the world. At this point, the biggest attraction of the maneuvers appears to be China.

Guest artist: China. Their participation in these exercises clearly underscores the growing military ties between Russia and China, particularly in the maritime domain. Both countries have increased their military cooperation in recent years, and China’s participation strengthens their strategic alliance amid tensions with the West, particularly the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

In Ocean-2024, the Chinese Navy is expected to contribute warships, submarines and air units to conduct joint maneuvers with Russian naval forces in the Sea of ​​Japan and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, allowing both countries to coordinate in complex naval operations, such as anti-submarine warfare, air defense and maritime logistics. We should not forget that for China, as for Russia, this is a message abroad about its willingness to cooperate with other actors in the global military arena.

Size of the fleet and its primary objective. We are talking about the deployment of more than 400 Russian ships, including submarines and support ships, as well as about 7,000 vehicles and special equipment units covering all of its main fleets – the Pacific, Northern, Baltic and Caspian Fleets. In the air, they will be accompanied by more than 120 aircraft and about 90,000 servicemen of the Russian Navy and Air Force.

In this regard, the Russian Defense Ministry explained that the main purpose is to check the readiness of the naval commands to manage various groups of forces in their areas of responsibility, to solve operational tasks and to use high-precision weapons. In addition, it aims to “expand interaction with the naval forces of partner countries in solving joint tasks at sea.”

Anxiety. After the start of the deployment, the first news from the countries where the maneuvers took place emerged. Many media outlets echoed the “concern” that had emerged in Norway. When the first photos of the Russian Baltic Fleet’s amphibious ships began to arrive, the Norwegian Armed Forces said, “We are following all movements closely.”

According to Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, head of the Norwegian Armed Forces Operational Headquarters (JHQ), “The Russian Navy launched the Okean exercise, which led to an increase in the activity of the Northern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet in close quarters as well as long-range aircraft. We were prepared for this and planned to follow Russia’s movements together with our allies.”

Okean-2024 will last until September 16.

Image | Mil.ru, Kremlin.ru

In Xataka | Russia threatened the West where it hurts the most. If someone cuts these undersea cables, no one has a plan B.

In Xataka | Russia has one of the largest weapons assets in its vast Soviet-era arsenal. Ukraine is consuming it