5th Operational Squadron

The 5th Squadron (Russian: пятая эскадра, translit. Pyataya Eskadra, officially known as Operational formation of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea) is squadron of the Russian Navy responsible for the Russian projection of power in the Middle East through the Mediterranean Sea.

Fifth Eskadra
пятая эскадра
Operational formation of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea
Fifth Squadron bases in 1973.
Active1963–1993
2013–present[1]
Country Soviet Union (1963–91)
 Russia (1991–93; 2013–Present)
Allegiance Soviet Union
(1963–1991)
Russian Federation
Branch Soviet Navy
Russian Navy
RoleNaval warfare
Amphibious warfare
Size15 warships
HeadquartersMSTP in Tartus
Sevastopol
Severomorsk
Nickname(s)5th Squadron
EngagementsCold War
Syrian Civil War (Russian intervention)
Commanders
Current
commander		Captain 1st rank Pavel Yasnitsky

The fleet was first established by the Soviet Navy in 1963–64, originally intended for the power projection in the Middle East through the Mediterranean Sea during the Cold War between two superpowers— the Soviet Union and the United States. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in general usually referred to the squadron as the Soviet Mediterranean Fleet (Russian: Средиземноморский флот) since it was indeed such for all intents and purposes, facing the combat adversary with the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet in the region. Attached to the Russian Navy after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the 5th Squadron was deactivated due to downsizing of the Russian Armed Forces on 31 December 1992.[2] Perceiving threats from the planned American' missile defense shield in Poland in 2009–10 and the American-led NATO's armed intervention in Syria in 2011, Russia reactivated the 5th Squadron in 2013 to support its war efforts in a bid of saving President Bashar al-Assad's presidency in Syria.[1]

Since 2013, Russian Ministry of Defence officially identify this squadron as the Operational formation of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea (Russian: Оперативное соединение ВМФ России на Средиземном море).[3]

History

The Soviet Navy in the first half of the 1960s had not yet been able to create a force that could effectively cripple the Sixth Fleet. The Black Sea Fleet force deployed in the Mediterranean, did not have the required strength, and the attention of the Soviet Navy's leaders was drawn to the potential of first diesel electric, and then nuclear submarines to stealthily track and, with nuclear weapons, subsequently destroy aircraft carriers.[4]

Up to May 1965, the Soviet Navy attempted to carry out its task in Mediterranean Sea by creating a so-called mixed subdivisions formed from ships of the Northern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet under the command of Captain 1st Rank E.I. Volobuyev and O.P. Grumbkov. This force included submarines, destroyers and supply vessels. In May 1965, the first mixed squadron was formed from the hydrographic, support vessels, attack cruisers and submarines of the Black Sea Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, under the command of 20th Water Region Division Captain 1st Rank Igor N. Molodtsov.[5]

The question of creating a staff and a temporary operational squadron in the Mediterranean, was raised repeatedly by Admiral Sergei Gorshkov, Chief of the Navy. However, the General Staff did not approve the idea. Contrary to custom, Gorshkov continued to harass the Ministry of Defence with persistent requests for the creation of "... the organization that can hardly be found", not bothered by the fact that it caused irritation to the Chief of the General Staff. The Commander used to do that every suitable occasion, but "up to a certain time the requests of the Commander for the establishment of regular Mediterranean squadron to officers of the General Staff met with failure, or silence."[6]

The Six-Day War of 1967 was a factor in accelerating the creation of the Mediterranean squadron. In June 1967, the Politburo decided to create a Mediterranean squadron. In accordance with this decision, the establishment of the squadron was ordered by the Order of the Navy Commander № 0195, dated 14 June 1967.[7] Rear Admiral Boris Petrov took command, and took over command of all the forces that were present on 14 July 1967 in the Mediterranean.

Operational formation of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea

In September 2013, the Russian Ministry of Defence re-established a fleet in the Mediterranean using a combination of ships from the Black Sea Fleet and Northern Fleet stationed in Syria.[1] It has been reported to comprise 15 warships and auxiliary vessels[8] with vessels from the Baltic Fleet also providing contingents for operations in the region.[9]

Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War

With the start of the military operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria on 30 September 2015, the formation took part in this operation, covering the airborne forces of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria and the Khmeimim Air Base at which it is deployed. The main objective of the formation was to ensure the activities of the Russian troops in Syria. Presently, it continues to facilitate and replenish Russian forces stationed there and also help out with any search and rescue operations in its area of responsibility.

Commanders

Since reactivation:

See also

References
  1. http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12096837@egNews#txt
  2. Дубягин, П. Р. На Средиземноморской эскадре. – М.: Андреевский флаг, 2006. – 344 с. – ISBN 5-9553-0053-8, 337.
  3. Operational formation of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea will receive the Smetlivy guard ship of the Black Sea Fleet Russian MoD, 22 May 2017.
  4. Касатонов, И. В. (2009). Сорок лет 30-й дивизии Черноморского флота: через все эпохи и потрясения. М.: Вагриус. p 49
  5. Монаков М. С. (2008). Главком (Жизнь и деятельность Адмирала флота Советского Союза С. Г. Горшкова). Библиотека клуба адмиралов. М.: Кучково поле. p. 535. ISBN 978-5-9950-0008-2.
  6. Монаков М. С. (2008). Главком (Жизнь и деятельность Адмирала флота Советского Союза С. Г. Горшкова). Библиотека клуба адмиралов. М.: Кучково поле. p. 535, 536. ISBN 978-5-9950-0008-2.
  7. Zaborsky V. (13 October 2006). "Soviet Mediterranean Squadron". Independent Military.
  8. Число кораблей ВМФ России в Средиземном море увеличилось до 15 RIA Novosti, 1 June 2017.
  9. https://tass.com/defense/1243061
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