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With tensions still burning following the buildup of Russian troops on its border with Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Defensetweet-Release video footage depicting the Black Sea Fleet cruiser Moskva launching the Vulkan supersonic anti-ship missile.
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The ministry said the P-1000 Vulkan missile, an improved version of the longer-range Soviet-era P-500 Bazalt missile, was fired via the warship’s Moskva Bazalt main missile system.
The anti-ship missile landed about 19 miles away.
The recorded videotweet-The Ministry of Defense also showed the dangerous missile fire from a number of angles.
Russian military media, Star, showing the wreckage of “enemy ships” that were the target of simulated attacks. “This missile is the reason why [rudal] our cruisers are called ‘carrier killers’, “the media report was quoted as saying The Moscow Times, Saturday (1/5/2021).
This week, the Moskva, other warships and military helicopters took part in naval combat drills. It happened when the US Coast Guard ships; Hamilton, a cutter, moving into the Black Sea to work with NATO allies in the region. The ship was tracked by the Russian fleet.
Mathieu Boulegue, military expert at the institute think tank Chatham House London, said the missile launch from Moskva was Russia’s intention to demonstrate an increased presence of its navy in the region, following a recent show of force in Crimea.
“Beyond signaling capabilities, Russia shows an intention to defend and protect its assets in the Black Sea,” he told Newsweek.
“This includes not only the Crimea but also the Sea of Azov, where the Kerch Strait has been closed to non-Russian ships until the end of October.”
“The more tactical reason is to signal to NATO that Russia is closely watching the European DEFENDER 2021 exercise which will take place in the region soon,” he said, referring to a US Army-led NATO military exercise involving 27 nations and tens of thousands of troops.
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Russia announced the closure of the Kerch Strait for non-Russian vessels until 31 October. Moscow says the move is to avoid clashes from an upcoming naval exercise, but many see it as a move to assert its presence in the Sea of Azov.
Last week, Russia announced a troop withdrawal on its border with Ukraine following a deployment it said was in response to NATO maneuvers near the Russian border.
“The entire region is a hotbed of increasing tension, and miscalculation, which will require some careful management,” added Boulegue.
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