New information gleaned from the imagery by OSINT analyst MT_Anderson, based on satellite imagery, sheds light on the current state of four Project 22800 Karakurt-class missile corvettes – potent vessels capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles. This analysis delves deeper into the details, exploring the individual situations of each corvette and their implications for the Black Sea Fleet.
Cyclone: This corvette, already commissioned into the Black Sea Fleet, was seen in the waters of temporarily occupied Sevastopol as recently as December 2, 2023. Its presence indicates operational readiness and the potential for immediate deployment.
Read more: The Armed Forces of Ukraine Likely Hit russia’s Corvette at Shipyard in Kerch in Crimea
Askold: The corvette suffered significant damage during a missile attack on November 4, 2023, essentially rendering it inoperable. It was undergoing repairs at the Zaliv plant in Kerch as of December 3. The extent of the damage remains unclear, but the tarpaulin covering the affected areas suggests significant repairs are required, potentially delaying its return to service for an extended period.
Amur: The vessel has completed construction and passed all necessary tests. However, it has not yet been officially commissioned into the Black Sea Fleet. Its presence in Novorossiysk on December 5, 2023, suggests it’s nearing its official deployment.
Tucha: The situation surrounding this corvette is particularly interesting. Unlike the other three Karakurt corvettes built at the Zaliv plant in Kerch, the Tucha was constructed at the shipyard in Zelenodolsk (russia), located on the banks of the Volga River. This detail, coupled with its appearance in Novorossiysk alongside the Amur vessel on December 5th, 2023, strongly suggests it was transported through the Volga-Don Canal as a potential replacement for the destroyed Askold vessel. The construction started in 2019 and it was launched in Zelenodolsk in July 2023. Its arrival in Novorossiysk signifies its imminent commissioning, potentially filling the gap left by the Askold and maintaining the Black Sea Fleet’s access to Kalibr missiles.
This corvette has the following characteristics:
- Displacement: 870 tons;
- Length: 67 meters;
- Width: 11 meters;
- Autonomy: up to 15 days;
- Crew: 39 people;
- Armament: 76-mm gun, 8 Kalibr/Onyx missile launchers, Pantsir air defense system, Orlan-10 drone.
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