Following extract taken from the Russian Armed Forces daily Red Star. Translated and submitted for interest and information by Old Crow. Date of article: 25 June 2009.Preparations by a large detachment of Black Sea warships which are to participate in Exercise Kavkaz-2009 (Caucasus-2009) are nearing completion. From the Sevastopol' Order of Nakhimov Rocket Cutter Brigade, commanded by Captain 1st Rank Yurij Zemskij, the Air Cushion Missile Ship Bora, the Small Missile Ship Mirage and two Rocket Cutters under the command of Captains 3rd Rank Igor'Vorob'ev and Vadim Lopatko will be taking part. In addition, three Large Landing Ships (BDK) from the Landing Ship Brigade commanded by Captain 1st Rank Oleg Ignasyuk will also participate. These are the BDK Yamal under the command of Captain 2nd Rank Aleksandr Kononenko, the Novocherkassk under the command of Captain 2nd Rank Roman Kotlyarov and the Nikolaj Fil'chenkov commanded by Captain 3rd Rank Evgenij Myasoedov.
I have the following update according to a piece published on wordpress.com:
Russia's defence ministry has announced that the Kavkaz-2009 military exercises will be held in the North Caucasus from June 29 until July 6. The exercises will involve more than 8,500 personnel, up to 200 battle tanks, 450 armoured vehicles and some 250 artillery systems of various types, the independent Georgian news and information service Civil.ge reports.
This appears to be more than just a naval exercise. According to an ITAR-TASS news agency release, all brigades in Russia's North Caucasus military district are to participate in the Kavkaz-2009 military maneuvers.
What I find real interesting is at the moment, the armies of 12 NATO countries are taking part in the Cooperative Longbow 09/Cooperative Lancer 09 war games in Georgia. These military drills close to Russian borders have resulted in numerous protests from top Russian officials.
73, have fun and good hunting,
El Jefe
