Russia has deployed missile corvettes to Lake Ladoga, as reported by the Norwegian newspaper Barents Observer and WP.
Within Range of Russian Missiles
This maneuver, part of Russia’s strategic exercises in the Baltic and Pacific, marks the first time these advanced naval vessels have operated in such an inland waterway.
The missile corvettes, classified as Project 21631 Buyan-class, include the ships Grad and Naro-Fominsk. Equipped with long-range Kalibr cruise missiles, these corvettes are now stationed on Lake Ladoga, with plans to advance northwards through Lake Onega and eventually navigate the White Sea-Baltic Canal toward the Arctic Ocean.
The Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat highlights that this deployment places Finland within the operational range of Russian missiles.
Asset for Naval Fleet
This strategic move is a part of Russia’s ongoing military exercises, which have been extensive this year.
In July, over 300 naval vessels participated in large-scale drills, followed by additional strategic exercises announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense in early September. The recent deployment of Buyan-class corvettes to Lake Ladoga signifies a notable escalation in Russia’s regional military activities.
The Buyan-class corvettes are vital assets in Russia’s naval fleet. Each vessel, measuring over 74 meters in length and 11 meters in width, is powered by four diesel engines, enabling speeds of up to 25 knots (approximately 45 km/h).
The Kalibr missiles they carry can strike targets up to 2,500 kilometers away, making them a significant threat to distant targets, including critical infrastructure deep within adversary territories.
Despite their advanced capabilities, the Buyan-class corvettes have notable vulnerabilities. Their limited self-defense systems, including the 9K38 Igla and the AK-630M gun, may not suffice against sustained aerial and naval attacks.
