The Russian guided-missile cruiser Varyag and frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov are scheduled to sail into the Red Sea and the El Bab Strait, causing global concern, even for a possible naval crisis (even by accident) between dozens of warships from two missions (NATO-EU) on a scale the world has not seen since WWII.
This is reported by Russian media focusing on the region.
Announcement by the Russian Ministry of Defense and Moscow's plans against those of the US and the EU
This is a remarkable message from the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense, which may turn out to be an announcement of a new extremely serious deterioration of the situation in the Red and Arabian Seas, as well as in the Al Bab area.
On February 14, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that a detachment of warships of the Pacific Fleet, consisting of the guided-missile cruiser Varyag and the frigate Admiral Shaposhnikov, sailed from Vladivostok three weeks ago, crossed the Malacca Strait and entered the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean).
Neither the further route of the crossing nor its final destination is mentioned at all.
It only vaguely mentions that the two Russian Pacific Fleet warships are "continuing their course in accordance with the plan for a long-range naval mission."
However, in this regard, I think it is useful to recall the information from the online publication "Military Review", disseminated on February 5, 2024 with reference to the Iranian agency "Mehr News".
The publication, in turn, based on a statement by the head of the Persian Navy, Vice Admiral Shahram Irani, made at the naval base in Manjila, is titled "Possible response to NATO exercises": Russia, China and Iran will conduct joint exercises ».
In addition, as the Iranian Admiral said, the exercises will begin in the coming weeks.
What is also important, is that the Iranian Hellenic Navy General Staff chief mentioned that some other countries were invited to join them.
Defense analysts stress that, to one degree or another, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may participate in the upcoming joint exercises. However, there is no official confirmation of this information yet.
What Moscow is preparing with Tehran in the Red Sea
The movement of warships by the Russians, however, raises many questions:
1. Where exactly will such an undoubtedly large naval group soon form?
2. What exactly is the composition?
3. What will be the representation of each of the participating countries in it?
4. Finally, what will be the nature of the combat training missions being conducted?
There is no official information about it yet.
Russian expert Irina Guseva reports that “we, I think, have the right to believe that the "Varyag" and the "Marshal Shaposhnikov" from Vladivostok will not go anywhere, not even to those supposed transnational naval exercises.
Because based on the current international situation and the list of countries that have shown interest in conducting major exercises, the area where they will almost certainly take place will be that part of the Indian Ocean next to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
In other words, in a "hot spot" before our eyes, over which "fly" drones and cruise missiles launched by the Houthis from the coast of Yemen at merchant ships connected to the United States, Britain and Israel almost everyday.
And where, in a futile attempt to prevent attacks devastating global trade, the largest naval grouping of NATO countries in decades, led by the US nuclear aircraft carrier Dwight Eisenhower, is in the area.”
Which other countries and warships sail in the area to which the Greek Frigate HYDRA will also move
In addition to the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the destroyers Carney, Leonard F. Mason and Thomas Hudner, the Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarine and the frigates Alsace and Languedoc from the French Navy are currently sailing in the same area, until recently they were there and the British Diamond Destroyer.
In the near future, NATO plans to deploy three more aircraft carriers in the same area, the French nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle, the Italian Cavour and the British "Prince of Wales".
On February 8, the German frigate Hesse set sail for the Red Sea from Wilhelmshaven, while the Greek frigate HYDRA will also transit.
Thus, the combined Western naval forces in the region acquire a truly global character and all scenarios are open, especially after yesterday's announcement of a Russian nuclear weapon in space.
