Russia has relocated its missile corvette Amur from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, where it has joined the Caspian Flotilla.
A Serious Threat to Ukraine
This transfer, which took effect on August 26, significantly boosts the flotilla’s ability to launch long-range strikes, including against targets in Ukraine according to Tech.
The Amur, part of the Project 22800 "Karakurt" class, is equipped with Kalibr-NK cruise missiles that have a range of up to 1,500 kilometers. These missiles enable Russia to reach deep into Ukrainian territory, extending their strike capabilities to areas as far as Kyiv.
While the relocation of the Amur to the Caspian Sea removes it from the immediate conflict zone, the corvette’s long-range missile capabilities mean it still poses a serious threat to Ukraine.
Preserving Naval Assets
This move is part of Russia’s broader strategy to preserve its naval assets while maintaining offensive capabilities.
The Amur is the fourth corvette in the Caspian Flotilla equipped with Kalibr-NK missiles, allowing Russia to launch up to 32 of these missiles in a single coordinated attack.
The Caspian Flotilla has previously participated in missile strikes against Ukraine, including during the initial stages of the full-scale invasion and as recently as July.
Originally built in Kerch on the Crimean Peninsula, the Amur was initially intended to serve in the Black Sea Fleet, which has suffered significant losses due to Ukrainian attacks.
The Amur measures 67 meters in length, 11 meters in width, and has a displacement of around 900 tons. It is armed with a 76mm naval gun, the Pantsir-M air defense system, and 12.7mm machine guns, making it a versatile and formidable component of Russia’s naval forces.
