Western journalists were so busy labeling Russian warning shots as misinformation, that they overlooked the real information deceit.
United Kingdom
The argument that Russia’s security zones around Crimea are legal
Since HMS Defender’s recent freedom of navigation operation close to Crimea, there has been an interesting public debate about the legal aspects of innocent passage. My attention has been drawn to this article by professor Stefan Talmon where he makes the case that Russia’s suspension of this right in certain areas in the Black Sea […]
HMS Defender’s encounter with Russia’s coastguard off Crimea
Here are a few quick thoughts on yesterday’s incident where Russian ships and aircraft fired warning shots on the British destroyer HMS Defender off Crimea. This was a deliberate freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) by the Royal Navy. HMS Defender purposefully transited closer than 12 nautical miles from Crimea. This point is important to stress […]
Some thoughts on HMS Dragon’s FONOPS off Crimea
Last week, first deputy director of FSB and leader of Russia’s border control service Vladimir Kulishov made some noticeable comments to RIA Novosti about an incident in October 2020 involving the British destroyer HMS Dragon. The British warship crossed the territorial waters off Crimea in what must be characterized as a Freedom of Navigation Operation […]
Interview with Corporal Frisk about military reductions in UK
Corporal Frisk’s look at the UK’s new “Defence in a competitive age” plan for the armed forces.
A look at the Baltic Fleet and the defense of Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad is a military stronghold in the Baltic Sea. It is also an interesting case of Russia’s joint approach to defense under the leadership of the Baltic Fleet. Here is a quick overview.
Russia’s military budget has nothing to do with the GDP of Spain
An often used reference to the GDP of Spain says nothing about Russia’s military potential. Instead, Russia’s defense budget gives them the same purchasing power as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom combined.
Who cheated whom in Russian-British submarine duel?
Did Russian diesel submarines really hunt down a British nuclear submarine and prevent it from launching missiles on Syria? Or did the British successfully keep the Russians occupied with a submarine which was never intended to launch missiles in the first place?
Warship diplomacy: British intervention in the Baltic from 1800-1801
Article recommendation: This account of the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 is worth reading. Alliances change, technology develops, yet human nature makes the French Revolutionary Wars discouragingly relevant today.
HMS Ocean retired and sold to Brazil
HMS Ocean was retired from the Royal Navy today. The helicopter carrier officially left service at a ceremony at HM Naval Base Devonport with the participation of Queen Elizabeth. Ocean has been the flagship of the Royal Navy since it was commissioned into service in 1998. Now she will be handed off to Brazil for […]