64th Water Area Protection Brigade
Location Analysis
The Russian naval units detailed—namely the 64th Water Area Protection Brigade, the 146th Anti-Submarine Ship Tactical Group, and the 323rd Minesweeper Squadron—are primarily based within the Baltic Fleet’s area of responsibility, with principal garrisons located at Baltiysk and Kronstadt. These sites provide strategic access to the Baltic Sea, facilitating rapid deployment for maritime security operations, anti-submarine warfare, and mine countermeasure activities. The proximity to NATO maritime routes and key Russian naval infrastructure underscores the operational significance of these locations.
Organizational Structure
The 64th Water Area Protection Brigade functions as a composite formation, integrating anti-submarine, minesweeping, and patrol assets to secure naval approaches and critical maritime infrastructure. The 146th Anti-Submarine Ship Tactical Group comprises Project 1331M corvettes, each designated for coastal anti-submarine warfare. The 323rd Minesweeper Squadron is subdivided by vessel class, including Project 12650/E, Project 13000, and Project 10750 minesweepers, each optimized for specific mine countermeasure roles. This layered structure enables flexible task organization and rapid response to diverse maritime threats.
Infrastructure Capabilities
Naval bases supporting these units are equipped with advanced maintenance facilities, ammunition depots, and command-and-control centers. Baltiysk, as the principal base, features deep-water piers, dry docks, and specialized workshops for corvette and minesweeper maintenance. The infrastructure supports sustained operations, rapid sortie generation, and logistical resupply, ensuring high operational readiness. Secure communication networks and radar installations further augment situational awareness and command efficiency.
Order of Battle: 146th Anti-Submarine Ship Tactical Group
The 146th Anti-Submarine Ship Tactical Group operates six Project 1331M corvettes: MPK-304 Urengoy (304), MPK-308 Zelenodolsk (308), MPK-218 Aleksin, MPK-311 Kazanets (311), MPK-243 Kabardino-Balkaria (243), and MPK-232 Kalmykia (232). These vessels are equipped with hull-mounted sonar, RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers, torpedoes, and surface-to-air missile systems. Their primary mission is the detection, tracking, and engagement of enemy submarines in littoral and near-shore environments, as well as escort duties for high-value naval assets.
Order of Battle: 323rd Minesweeper Squadron
The 323rd Minesweeper Squadron fields a diverse array of mine countermeasure vessels. Project 12650/E minesweepers include Aleksey Lebedev (505), BT-212 (501), BT-213 Sergey Kolbasyev (522), and BT-230 Leonid Sobolev (510). Project 13000 minesweepers comprise RT-344 (326) and RT-276 (353). Project 10750 minesweepers include RT-252 (239), RT-273 (310), RT-231 (219), and RT-249 (206). These vessels are equipped with mechanical, acoustic, and electromagnetic sweep systems, as well as remotely operated vehicles for mine detection and neutralization. Their operational focus is the clearance of naval approaches, harbor defense, and support of amphibious operations.
Operational Readiness and Training
Personnel assigned to these units undergo regular training cycles, including live-fire exercises, anti-submarine warfare drills, and mine countermeasure operations. The integration of modern simulation systems and joint exercises with other fleet elements enhances tactical proficiency. Maintenance schedules and logistical support are structured to maximize vessel availability, with periodic overhauls conducted at fleet repair facilities. The units maintain a high state of readiness, capable of rapid deployment in response to emerging maritime threats.
Strategic Significance
The combined capabilities of the 64th Water Area Protection Brigade, the 146th Anti-Submarine Ship Tactical Group, and the 323rd Minesweeper Squadron provide the Russian Baltic Fleet with robust anti-submarine and mine warfare capacity. These forces play a critical role in safeguarding maritime access points, protecting naval bases, and ensuring the security of sea lines of communication. Their presence serves as both a deterrent and a rapid reaction force in the event of heightened regional tensions or conflict in the Baltic Sea theater.