Russia Deploys Admiral Kasatonov Frigate to the Baltic After Threatening Countermeasures Over the “Shadow Fleet

Russia has deployed the modern guided-missile frigate Admiral Kasatonov, part of the Northern Fleet, to the Baltic Sea, just days after the destroyer Admiral Levchenko also arrived in the area, the German newspaper Kieler Nachrichten reported.

The deployment of the warships comes at a time when the Kremlin has warned Europe of countermeasures in response to sanctions imposed on Russia’s “shadow fleet.”

Commissioned in 2020, Admiral Kasatonov is an Admiral Gorschkov-class frigate and is considered one of the most modern warships in Russia’s Baltic fleet. According to Moscow, it is capable of deploying Kalibr and Zircon missiles.

Before arriving in the Baltic Sea, the frigate had carried out a mission in the Mediterranean and the English Channel, where it had protected and escorted Russian trucks.

Russia had already transferred Admiral Levchenko from the Northern Fleet to the Baltic Sea at the end of July. The destroyer, which is more than 160 meters long and has been in service since 1988, was originally built for anti-submarine warfare.

The ship is equipped with air defense systems, torpedoes, and artillery, and also carries helicopters on board.

Moscow has not provided an official explanation for the transfer of these vessels. However, in recent months, Russian warships have been widely used to escort tankers and cargo ships linked to the controversial “shadow fleet.”

A few days ago, Russian President Putin warned European countries taking action against this fleet.

“The inspections by Western countries are nothing more than piracy and looting,” he said, adding that Russia would respond with “appropriate measures.”