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Russian frigate with hypersonic missiles sails near German coast
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

Russian frigate with hypersonic missiles sails near German coast

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A modern Russian frigate, the Admiral Kasatonov, equipped with hypersonic missiles, was detected near Germany's Baltic coast, causing concern.
  • The frigate, which had its AIS transponder turned off, is one of Russia's newest warships and has advanced weaponry.
  • Its presence is seen as a message from Moscow following recent actions by Britain and France against vessels linked to Russia's

Germany is concerned by the presence of a modern Russian frigate near its Baltic coast, specifically off the island of Fehmarn. The vessel, identified as the "Admiral Kasatonov," is one of the Russian fleet's newest warships and is capable of carrying hypersonic missiles, long-range weapons, and advanced anti-submarine systems.

The Russian frigate was reportedly navigating one of Europe's busiest commercial shipping lanes. Its automatic identification system (AIS) was allegedly deactivated, making its movements invisible on public tracking platforms. This marks the second Russian warship spotted in the Baltic Sea within weeks, following the destroyer "Admiral Levchenko" in July.

The "Admiral Kasatonov" belongs to the Project 22350 class, considered technologically advanced within the Russian Navy. Its armament includes Oniks anti-ship missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, the Poliment-Redut air defense system, and the Paket-NK anti-submarine system.

We will be forced to react in the same way. Russia can respond in any area it deems necessary and appropriate.

— Vladimir PutinRussian President Vladimir Putin warned of retaliatory measures against European ships following actions against Russian vessels.

This frigate's proximity to German shores is interpreted as a message from Moscow. It follows operations by Britain and France against vessels associated with Russia's "shadow fleet" – primarily oil tankers using third-country flags and complex ownership structures to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. These actions led to strong reactions from the Kremlin and fears of Russian retaliation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia would respond in kind, stating, "We will be forced to react in the same way. Russia can respond in any area it deems necessary and appropriate." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed this sentiment, suggesting Moscow would significantly toughen its methods against those "feeding Kyiv's war machine from the West." Germany's Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, dismissed Lavrov's statements as "absurd propaganda," suggesting the Kremlin was using threats and disinformation to pressure Ukraine's international supporters. She linked Russia's stance to the economic and social consequences of the war, which are increasingly felt within Russia.

absurd propaganda

— Annalena BaerbockGerman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock dismissed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statements regarding potential responses to Western actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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