Main image: Russian navy. Associative/AP
According to Norwegian intelligence, the Russian Northern Fleet is losing combat readiness due to a lack of resources, reported by LRT
The Russian navy is facing growing challenges related to insufficient resources, which threatens its ability to effectively carry out tasks, as stated in the annual report by the Norwegian Intelligence Service, published on Wednesday.
The report highlights that the Russian fleet is in a difficult situation, having to choose between fulfilling operational tasks and performing necessary maintenance. This results in delays in servicing ships, especially aging vessels, and reduces their capacity. Problems in Russian ports also affect fleet operations, creating even more difficulties.
The Northern Fleet, the largest of Russia's four naval fleets, is based in Severomorsk, north of Murmansk, near the Norwegian border. Satellite images show ships accumulating in the port and spending more time at the dock, exacerbating the issues.
The Kremlin aimed to demonstrate its ambition to dominate the northern seas with two major ships— the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" and the cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov." In 2017, Moscow announced the start of repairs on "Admiral Kuznetsov," the only aircraft carrier in the country, which was supposed to return to service after three years. However, the aircraft carrier is still in dock in Murmansk, preparing for sea trials.
Additionally, other Russian submarines, including drones that the Kremlin has actively showcased, are still in the testing phase.
