WesWorld

Report for Q4/1947
Industrial Allocation
- 33 / 33 factories producing 33,000t materials.
- 0/33 factories producing infrastructure
- 17,201t from stockpile.
- 0t from transactions.
- 6288t from scrapping.
- 56,489t materials total.
- 34,923t used.
- 26,992t stored for Q1/48.

Infrastructure Development
None

Naval Construction

Petrograd: Almaz Shipbuilding Company, Sudomekh Shipyard No. 196, Severnaya Verf No.190, and Baltic Shipyard No.189
Class 4 Slip #1 - Admiral Kornilov-class (Project 81) light cruiser Admiral Deribas laid down October 1st, 1947. 11,375 tons required. 1,700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1700 / 11375 tons. 9675 / 11375 tons remaining. Launched June 5th, 1948. Completed June 12th, 1949.
Class 4 Slip #2 - Admiral Kornilov-class (Project 81) light cruiser Admiral Svietlana laid down October 1st, 1947. 11,375 tons required. 1,700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1700 / 11375 tons. 9675 / 11375 tons remaining. Launched June 5th, 1948. Completed June 12th, 1949.
Class 4 Slip #3 - Idle.
Class 4 Slip #4 - Idle.
Class 3 Slip #1 - Idle.
Class 3 Slip #2 - Idle.
Class 3 Slip #3 - Idle.
Class 3 Slip #4 - Idle.
Class 3 Slip #5 - Idle.
Class 3 Slip #6 - Idle.
Class 1 Slip #1 - Yenesei-class icebreaker Argun laid down July 1st, 1947. 5145 tons required. 1100 tons added in Q4/1947 for a total of 2200 / 5145 tons. 2945 / 5145 tons remaining. Launched June 20th, 1947. Completed March 5th, 1948.
Class 1 Slip #2 - Idle.
Class 1 Slip #3 - Idle.
Class 1 Slip #4 - Project 83 type ("Avantyurin") small antisubmarine ship MPK-171 laid down July 1st, 1947. 600 tons required. 175 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 350 / 600 tons. 250 / 600 tons remaining. Launched October 26th, 1947. Completed April 18th, 1948.
Class 0 Slip #1 - Project 83 type ("Avantyurin") small antisubmarine ship MPK-172 laid down July 1st, 1947. 600 tons required. 175 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 350 / 600 tons. 250 / 600 tons remaining. Launched October 26th, 1947. Completed April 18th, 1948.
Class 0 Slip #2 - Project 83 type ("Avantyurin") small antisubmarine ship MPK-173 laid down July 1st, 1947. 600 tons required. 175 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 350 / 600 tons. 250 / 600 tons remaining. Launched October 26th, 1947. Completed April 18th, 1948.
Class 0 Slip #3 - Project 83 type ("Avantyurin") small antisubmarine ship MPK-174 laid down July 1st, 1947. 600 tons required. 175 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 350 / 600 tons. 250 / 600 tons remaining. Launched October 26th, 1947. Completed April 18th, 1948.
Class 0 Slip #4 - Project 83 type ("Avantyurin") small antisubmarine ship MPK-175 laid down July 1st, 1947. 600 tons required. 175 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 350 / 600 tons. 250 / 600 tons remaining. Launched October 26th, 1947. Completed April 18th, 1948.

Dockside:
- Admiral Kornilov-class (Project 81) light cruiser Admiral Kornilov laid down January 1st, 1947. 11,375 tons required. 1,700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 6800 / 11375 tons. 4575 / 11375 tons remaining. Launched September 5th, 1947. Completed September 12th, 1948.
- Admiral Kornilov-class (Project 81) light cruiser Admiral Crieg laid down January 1st, 1947. 11,375 tons required. 1,700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 6800 / 11375 tons. 4575 / 11375 tons remaining. Launched September 5th, 1947. Completed September 12th, 1948.
- Avrora-class (Project 76) light cruiser Vitiaz laid down January 1st, 1947. 8,250 tons required. 1,500 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 6000 / 8250 tons. 2250 / 8250 tons remaining. Launched July 28th, 1947. Completed June 8th, 1948.
Avrora-class (Project 76) light cruiser Kagul laid down January 1st, 1947. 8,250 tons required. 1,500 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 6000 / 8250 tons. 2250 / 8250 tons remaining. Launched July 28th, 1947. Completed June 8th, 1948.
- Elbrus-class tanker Livadiyskaya laid down January 1st, 1946. 2491 tons required (built to civilian standards). 0 tons added in Q4/1947 for a total of 2491 / 2491 tons. 0 / 2491 tons remaining. Launched July 18th, 1946. Completed October 30th, 1947.
- Elbrus-class tanker Narodnaya laid down January 1st, 1946. 2491 tons required (built to civilian standards). 0 tons added in Q4/1947 for a total of 2491 / 2491 tons. 0 / 2491 tons remaining. Launched July 18th, 1946. Completed October 30th, 1947.
- Elbrus-class tanker Kliuchevskoi laid down January 1st, 1947. 2491 tons required (built to civilian standards). 241 tons added in Q4/1947 for a total of 2491 / 2491 tons. 0 / 2491 tons remaining. Launched July 18th, 1947. Completed October 30th, 1948.
- Elbrus-class tanker Ushkovsky laid down January 1st, 1947. 2491 tons required (built to civilian standards). 241 tons added in Q4/1947 for a total of 2491 / 2491 tons. 0 / 2491 tons remaining. Launched July 18th, 1947. Completed October 30th, 1948.
- Yenesei-class icebreaker Irtysh laid down January 1st, 1947. 5145 tons required. 1100 tons added in Q4/1947 for a total of 4400 / 5145 tons. 745 / 5145 tons remaining. Launched June 20th, 1947. Completed March 5th, 1948.

Kronshtadt: Admiralty Shipyard No.194
Class 1 Drydock #1 - Destroyer Tashkent scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion.
Class 0 Drydock #1 - Idle.

Dockside:
None

Tallinn: Admiralty Shipyard Tallinn
Class 3 Drydock #1 - Two destroyers scrapping end to end. Destroyer Ulyanovsk scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion. Destroyer Orenburg scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion.
Class 3 Drydock #2 - Two destroyers scrapping end to end. Destroyer Novokuznetsk scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion. Destroyer Ryazan scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion.
Class 3 Drydock #3 - Two destroyers scrapping end to end. Destroyer Tomsk scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion. Destroyer Lipetsk scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion.
Class 3 Drydock #4 - Two destroyers scrapping end to end. Destroyer Tyumin scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion. Destroyer Magnitogorsk scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion.
Class 1 Drydock #1 - Destroyer Nizhny Tagil scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion.

Dockside:
None

Arkhangelsk: Severnoye Mashinostroitelnoye Predpriyatie (Sevmash No.402) and Zvezdochka Shipyard
Class 4.5 Slip #1 - Idle.
Class 2 Slip #1 - Project 77U type Destroyer Surovyi laid down July 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1400 / 2465. 1065 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched November 19th, 1947. Completed June 15th, 1948.
Class 2 Slip #2 - Project 77U type Destroyer Smyshlyonyi laid down July 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1400 / 2465. 1065 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched November 19th, 1947. Completed June 15th, 1948.
Class 2 Slip #3 - Project 77U type Destroyer Slavnyi laid down July 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1400 / 2465. 1065 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched November 19th, 1947. Completed June 15th, 1948.
Class 2 Slip #4 - Project 77U type Destroyer Boiky laid down July 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1400 / 2465. 1065 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched November 19th, 1947. Completed June 15th, 1948.
Class 2 Slip #5 - Project 77U type Destroyer Naporystyy laid down July 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1400 / 2465. 1065 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched November 19th, 1947. Completed June 15th, 1948.
Class 2 Slip #6 - Project 77U type Destroyer Bezuprechny laid down July 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 700 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1400 / 2465. 1065 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched November 19th, 1947. Completed June 15th, 1948.
Class 1 Slip #1 - Project 78 type ("Barrakuda") K-41 laid down July 1st, 1947. 1950 tons required. 750 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1500 / 1950 tons. 450 / 1950 tons remaining. Launched November 11th, 1947. Completed May 30th, 1948.
Class 1 Slip #2 - Project 78 type ("Barrakuda") K-42 laid down July 1st, 1947. 1950 tons required. 750 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1500 / 1950 tons. 450 / 1950 tons remaining. Launched November 11th, 1947. Completed May 30th, 1948.
Class 1 Slip #3 - Project 78 type ("Barrakuda") K-43 laid down July 1st, 1947. 1950 tons required. 750 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1500 / 1950 tons. 450 / 1950 tons remaining. Launched November 11th, 1947. Completed May 30th, 1948.
Class 1 Slip #4 - Idle.
Class 0 Slip #1 - Idle.
Class 0 Slip #2 - Idle.

Dockside:
- Aircraft Carrier Reval (Project 65) laid down January 1st, 1944. 49,854 tons required. 2500 tons added in Q4/1947 for a total of 40000 / 49854 tons. 9854 / 49854 tons remaining. Launched April 17th, 1946. Completed November 27th, 1948.
- Project 77U type Destroyer Vlastny laid down January 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 365 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 2465 / 2465. 0 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched May 19th, 1946. Completed December 15th, 1947.
- Project 77U type Destroyer Otlichny laid down January 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 365 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 2465 / 2465. 0 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched May 19th, 1946. Completed December 15th, 1947.
- Project 77U type Destroyer Rezkiy laid down January 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 365 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 2465 / 2465. 0 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched May 19th, 1946. Completed December 15th, 1947.
- Project 77U type Destroyer Speshnyy laid down January 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 365 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 2465 / 2465. 0 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched May 19th, 1946. Completed December 15th, 1947.
- Project 77U type Destroyer Vozbuzhdenyy laid down January 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 365 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 2465 / 2465. 0 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched May 19th, 1946. Completed December 15th, 1947.
- Project 77U type Destroyer Bespokoiny laid down January 1st, 1947. 2,465 tons required. 365 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 2465 / 2465. 0 / 2465 tons remaining until completion. Launched May 19th, 1946. Completed December 15th, 1947.

Murmansk: Shipyard #10 Polyarny, "Shkval"
Class 4.5 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 3 Drydock #1 - Two destroyers scrapping end to end. Destroyer Belgorod scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion. Destroyer Surgut scrapping. Light tonnage of 1446 permits recovery of 217t, requiring 3.5 months. 186 tons recovered in Q4/1947. 31 tons remaining until completion.
Class 3 Drydock #2 - Idle.
Class 2 Drydock #1 - Project 78 type ("Barrakuda") K-44 laid down July 1st, 1947. 1950 tons required. 750 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1500 / 1950 tons. 450 / 1950 tons remaining. Launched November 11th, 1947. Completed May 30th, 1948.
Class 1 Drydock #1 - Project 78 type ("Barrakuda") K-45 laid down July 1st, 1947. 1950 tons required. 750 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 1500 / 1950 tons. 450 / 1950 tons remaining. Launched November 11th, 1947. Completed May 30th, 1948.
Class 0 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 0 Drydock #2 - Idle.

Dockside:
None

Rostov-on-Don: Black Sea Shipyard, Rostov-on-Don
Class 3 Slip #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Slip #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Slip #2 - Idle.
Class 0 Slip #1 - Idle.
Class 0 Slip #2 - Idle.

Dockside:
- Large Rocket Ship (Bol'shoy Raketny Korabl') Admiral Kolchak (Project 79) laid down January 1st, 1946. 4,000 tons required. 1000 tons added Q4/1947 for a total of 4000 / 4000 tons. 0 / 4000 tons remaining. Launched June 6th, 1947. Completed January 31st, 1948.

Sevastopol: Sevastopol Shipyard No.201, Sevastopol
Class 3 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 2 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 0 Drydock #1 - Idle.

Dockside:
None

Astrakhan: Admiralty Shipyard No.39, Astrakhan
Class 1 Drydock #1 - Idle.

Dockside:
None

Vladivostok: Dalzavod Yard, Vladivostok, Zvezda Shipyard, Bolshoy Kamen, and Amur Shipbuilding Plant, Komsolosk-on-Amur
Class 4.5 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Drydock #2 - Idle.
Class 0 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 4.5 Slip #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Slip #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Slip #2 - Idle.
Class 0 Slip #1 - Idle.
Class 0 Slip #2 - Idle.

Dockside:
- Aircraft Carrier Kerch (Project 65) laid down January 1st, 1944. 49,854 tons required. 2500 tons added in Q4/1947 for a total of 40000 / 49854 tons. 9854 / 49854 tons remaining. Launched April 17th, 1946. Completed November 27th, 1948.

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky: Kamchatsky Shipyard No.49 "Gornyak"
Class 3 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 0 Drydock #1 - Idle.

Dockside:
None

Cam Ranh Bay (Indochina): Admiralty Shipyard No.191 "Alyans"
Class 4 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Drydock #1 - Idle.
Class 1 Drydock #2 - Idle.

Dockside:
None

On Trials:
- KRL Admiral Botsis on post-refit trials until Q4/1947
- KRL Admiral Menshikov on post-refit trials until Q4/1947
- KRL Novik on trials until Q4/1947
- KRL Bogatyr on trials until Q4/1947
- KPVO (AA cruiser) Diana on trials until Q1/1948
- EM (destroyer) Gnevny on trials until Q4/1947
- EM (destroyer) Statniy on trials until Q4/1947
- EM (destroyer) Ryany on trials until Q4/1947
- EM (destroyer) Storozhevoi on trials until Q4/1947
- EM (destroyer) Gremyashchy on trials until Q4/1947
- EM (destroyer) Nastoychivyy on trials until Q4/1947
- SKR (guardship) SKR-31 on trials until Q4/1947
- SKR (guardship) SKR-32 on trials until Q4/1947
- SKR (guardship) SKR-33 on trials until Q4/1947
- SKR (guardship) SKR-34 on trials until Q4/1947
- SKR (guardship) SKR-35 on trials until Q4/1947
- SKR (guardship) SKR-36 on trials until Q4/1947
- ML (seagoing icebreaker) Ob on trials until Q1/1948

From Factories
N/A

Transactions
- 416 tons to Latvia as ongoing payment for six destroyers for total of 1,948 / 3,700. 1,752 tons remaining balance.

Scrapping Report
- Twelve Tashkent-class destroyers scrapping Q4/1947 and Q1/1948. 186t each recovered in Q4/1947. 31t each to be recovered in Q1/1948.

- Total tonnage in recycling until Q4/47: (6x980) + (2x204) = 6288
- Total tonnage in recycling until Q1/48: (4x623) + (2x591) = 3674
- Total tonnage in recycling until Q3/48: (12x186) = 2232
- Total tonnage in recycling until Q4/48 (projected): (12x31) = 372

Notes
Funding is confirmed for the following ships or classes to be ordered in 1948:
- Avrora (Project 76) class light cruisers Ochakov and Oleg, seventh and eighth ships of the class.
- Twelve Project 77M destroyers, which are modified Project 77bis / Serdity design, to be called the Udaloi subclass.
- Four Project 84 Aleksandrit riverine icebreakers
- Project 85 Korabl' kompleksnogo snabzheniya (KKS - "complex supply ship"). Two ships, tentatively named Evropa and Asia, are planned for 1948.

Some vessels are slated for reserve, retirement, or possibly scrapping within the next financial year:
- Tashkent class destroyers (9th Destroyer Flotilla) are retired resulting from the influx of new modern escorts. Without serious upgrades these vessels are already seriously obsolescent.
- Some Belomore class icebreakers may be retired and scrapped due to age and the introduction of Yenisei-class replacements.

Order of Battle, January 1st, 1948
Note: X (Y)+Z = completed (under repair/refit) + under construction

The Fleet
Battleships (LK): 12(0)+0
Battlecruisers (LKR): 9(0)+0
Coast Defense Battleships (BAK): 2(0)+0
Aircraft Carriers (TAKR): 13(0)+2
Heavy / Armoured Cruisers (BK): 12(0)+0
Escort Cruisers (BK): 4(0)+0
Escort Carriers (PKR): 5(0)+0
Light Cruisers (KRL): 28(0)+6
Torpedo Cruisers (TKR): 30(0)+0
Large Rocket Ships (BRK): 1(0)+1
Large Antisubmarine Ships (BPK): 2(0)+0
Destroyers (EM): 148(0)+6-12
Frigates (SKR): 36(0)+0
Sloops (SKR): 4(0)+0
Corvettes (MPK): 95(0)+0
Small Antisubmarine Ships (MPK): 0(0)+5
Cruiser Submarines (PLK): 40(0)+5
Coastal Submarines (PL): 121(0)+0

Coastal Forces
Patrol Boats (PSKR): 120(0)+0
Submarine Chasers (MPK): 50(0)+0
MTB (TK): 340(0)+0
Experimental Fast Attack Craft (TK): 20(0)+0
Minelayers (ZM): 50(0)+0
Minesweepers (TSh): 22(0)+0
Light Minesweepers (BT / RT): 40(0)+0

Fleet Services
Seaplane Carriers: 4(0)+0
Repair Ships: 2(0)+0
Fleet Icebreakers: 9(0)+2
Shallow-draft Icebreakers: 2(0)+0
Port Icebreakers: 24(0)+0
Large Marine Tankers: 10(0)+4
Ice-Capable Large Marine Tankers: 4(0)+0
Medium Marine Tankers: 4(0)+0
Destroyer Tenders: 3(0)+0
Corvette/Submarine Tenders: 19(0)+0
Sail Training Ship: 2(0)+0

Amphibious Forces
Amphibious Command Ships (KRU): 2(0)+0
Large Landing Ship (BDK): 8(0)+0
Medium Landing Ship (SDK): 12(0)+0
Small Landing Ship (MDK): 18(0)+0
Landing Craft (DK): 62(0)+0

Baltic Sea Fleet
1st Battle Division (Tallinn): Revanche (F), Represselya

Baltic Sea Fleet Cruiser Group
2nd Cruiser Squadron (Kronshtadt): Avrora, Pallada, Novik, Bogatyr
17th Cruiser Squadron (Kronshtadt): Rynda, Diana (forming)
3rd Cruiser Squadron (Tallinn): Petrograd (F), Tbilisi, Baku, Omsk, Krasnodar, Astrakhan
10th Cruiser Squadron (Tallinn): Minsk (F), Samarakand, Tula, Grozniy, Bryansk, Irkutsk

Baltic Sea Fleet Destroyer Group
2nd Destroyer Flotilla (Tallinn): Parnu, Nizhny Novgorod, Ufa, Kemerovo, Vyatka, Kaluga, Sochi, Shakhty, Armavir, Norilsk, Kamensk-Uralsky, Ussuriysk
1st Guard Ship Flotilla (Kronshtatd): SKR-01, SKR-02, SKR-03, SKR-04, SKR-05, SKR-06, SKR-07, SKR-08, SKR-09, SKR-10, SKR-11, SKR-12

Baltic Sea Fleet Light Forces Group
1st Fast Mine Flotilla (Tallinn): 10 Project 06 "Oka" fast minelayers
1st Mine Warfare Flotilla (Tallinn): 10 Project 71 "Gematit" light minesweepers
1st Patrol Flotilla (Tallinn): 10 Project 61 "Gostinitsa" type patrol boats
1st Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Tallinn): 20 ANT-6-class MTB
2nd Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Tallinn): 20 ANT-6-class MTB
3rd Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Parnu): 20 ANT-6-class MTB
4th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Kronshtadt): 20 ANT-6-class MTB
5th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Kronshtadt): 20 ANT-6-class MTB
2nd Landing Flotilla (Kronshtadt): 6 Project 20 "Krokodil" class landing ships, 1 Naval Infantry Battalion
Lake Ladoga Experimental Flotilla (Schlisselburg): 10 L-11 class hovercraft

Submarine Group
1st Submarine Flotilla (Kronshtadt): S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6, S-7, S-8, S-9, S-10
2nd Submarine Flotilla (Tallinn): S-21, S-22, S-23, S-24, S-25, S-26, S-27, S-28, S-29, S-30

Special Assignments Command
13th Destroyer Flotilla (Tallinn): Pylkiy, Sokrushitelnyi, Skoryi, Smetlivyi, Smotriaschyi, Serioznyi (seconded to a Russo-German task force in the Baltic)

Black Sea Fleet
Black Sea Aircraft Carrier Group (Sevastopol): Canopus
2nd Battle Squadron (Sevastopol): Imperator Petr Veliki (F), Veliki Kniaz Dimitriy Donskoi, Veliki Kniaz Aleksandr Nevskiy, Veliki Kniaz Yaroslav Medniy
4th Cruiser Squadron (Sevastopol): Admiral Putiatin (F), Admiral von Krusenstern, Admiral Kulchitsky, Admiral Bezobrazov

Black Sea Fleet Torpedo Cruiser Group
6th Cruiser Squadron (Sevastopol): Smolensk, Mykolaiv, Kronstadt, Volgograd, Pskov, Odessa
12th Cruiser Squadron (Sevastopol): Moskva (F), Ekaterineberg, Murmansk, Maikop, Khabarovsk, Orel

Black Sea Fleet Destroyer Group
1st Destroyer Flotilla (Sevastopol): Yelnya, Lida, Simferopol, Horlivka, Grodno, Izhevsk, Chimkent, Donetsk, Cheboksary, Yoshkar-Ola, Rybinsk, Korolyov
2nd Guard Ship Flotilla (Sevastopol): Kharkov, SKR-13, SKR-14, SKR-15, SKR-16, SKR-17, SKR-18, SKR-19, SKR-20, SKR-21, SKR-22, SKR-23, SKR-24

Black Sea Fleet Submarine Group
4th Submarine Flotilla (Sevastopol): S-11, S-12, S-13, S-14, S-15, S-16, S-17, S-18, S-19, S-20
5th Submarine Flotilla (Sevastopol): S-31, S-32, S-33, S-34, S-35, S-36, S-37, S-38, S-39, S-40
Black Sea Fleet Special Submarine Flotilla: M-401 (Project 72U "Kit" type experimental submarine)

Black Sea Fleet Light Forces Group
2nd Patrol Flotilla (Sevastopol): 10 Project 61 "Gostinitsa" type patrol boats
2nd Mine Warfare Flotilla (Odessa): 10 Project 71 "Gematit" light minesweepers
6th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Odessa): 20 ANT-3 class MTB
7th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Sevastopol): 20 ANT-3 class MTB
8th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Sevastopol): 20 ANT-3 class MTB
9th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Novorossisk): 20 ANT-3 class MTB
10th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Batumi): 20 ANT-3 class MTB
Azov-Don Experimental Flotilla (Rostov-on-Don): 10 L-11 class hovercraft
3rd Landing Flotilla (Sevastopol): 6 Krokodil class landing ships, 1 Naval Infantry Battalion

Northern Fleet
Northern Fleet Capital Ship Group
1st Battle Squadron (Murmansk): Soyuz Nerushimy (F), Narodov Svobodnikh, Revolutsia, Demokratia
3rd Battle Squadron (Murmansk): Rostislav, Potemkin, Georgii Pobedonosets, Retvizan
4th Battle Squadron (Murmansk): Slava (F), Pobeda, Pravda, Vlast
1st Battlecruiser Squadron (Murmansk): Izmail (F), Borodino, Navarin, Kinburn

Northern Fleet Aircraft Carier Group
1st Aviation Ship Squadron: Gangut, Sinop, Petropavlovsk
2nd Aviation Ship Squadron: Kulikovo, Chesma, Kazan
3rd Aviation Ship Squadron: Azov, Osel, Grengam
Northern Fleet Carrier Group Escort Force: Khranitel (F), Tambov, Gomel

Northern Fleet Heavy Cruiser Group
1st Cruiser Squadron (Murmansk): Admiral Makarov (F), Rossia, Gromoboi, Riurik
5th Cruiser Squadron (Murmansk): Sviatoslav (F), Sviatopolk, Oslyaba, Peresvet
16th Cruiser Squadron (Murmansk): Ilya Muromets (F), Dobrina Nikitich, Alexi Popovich, Igor Sviatoslavich

Northern Fleet Light Cruiser Group
7th Cruiser Squadron (Murmansk): General-Admiral Apraksin (F), Admiral Lefort, Admiral Golovin, General-Admiral Golytsin
8th Cruiser Squadron (Murmansk): Admiral Ushakov (F), Admiral Essen, Admiral Spiridonov, Admiral Jones
9th Cruiser Squadron (Murmansk): Admiral Nakhimov (F), Admiral Chikagov, Admiral Botsis, Admiral Menshikov

Northern Fleet Destroyer Group
3rd Destroyer Flotilla (Murmansk): Vinnitsa, Kherson, Brest, Shevchenko, Stary Oskol, Seversk, Zaporizhia, Nikopol, Akmolinsk, Orsk, Kamyshin, Lviv
5th Destroyer Flotilla (Murmansk): Mariupol, Vitebsk, Mogilev, Perm, Barnaul, Karagandy, Berezniki, Kopeysk, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Lutsk, Uralsk
6th Destroyer Flotilla (Murmansk): Soobrazitelny, Rezvy, Stremitelny, Smeliy, Rekordny, Blestyashchyy, Bystry, Soznatelnyy, Burlivyy, Besstrashniy, Razumny, Provorny
9th Destroyer Flotilla (Murmansk): Vlastny, Otlichny, Rezkiy, Speshnyy, Vozbuzhdenyy, Bespokoiny
10th Destroyer Flotilla (Murmansk): Kursk, Nalchik, Syktyvkar, Veliky Novgorod, Prokopyevsk, Balakovo, Severodvinsk, Syzran, Mytishchi, Volgodonsk, Novocherkassk, Volzhsky
11th Destroyer Flotilla (Murmansk): Voronezh, Bratsk, Chelyabinsk, Chita, Oryol, Vladikavkaz, Petrozavodsk, Nizhnevartovsk, Rubtsovsk, Kovrov, Dimitrovgrad, Krasnogorsk
12th Destroyer Flotilla (Murmansk): Pechora, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Yaroslavl, Kurgan, Vologda, Saransk, Kostroma, Novorossiysk, Angarsk, Balashikha, Khimki
7th Destroyer Flotilla (Murmansk): Serdityi, Samouvarenniy, Bezposhchadny, Gromky, Raztropny, Stoikiy (active service); Gnevny, Statniy, Ryany, Storozhevoi, Gremyashchy, Nastoychivyy (builders trials)
3rd Guard Ship Flotilla (Murmansk): Yakutsk, SKR-25, SKR-26, SKR-27, SKR-28, SKR-29, SKR-30 (active service); SKR-31, SKR-32, SKR-33, SKR-34, SKR-35, SKR-36

Northern Fleet Submarine Group
7th Submarine Flotilla (Murmansk): M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, M-8, M-9, M-10
8th Submarine Flotilla (Murmansk): M-11, M-12, M-13, M-14, M-15, M-16, M-17, M-18, M-19, M-20
9th Submarine Flotilla (Murmansk): K-1, K-2, K-3, K-4, K-5, K-6, K-7, K-8, K-9, K-10
10th Submarine Flotilla (Murmansk): K-31, K-32, K-33, K-34, K-35, K-36, K-37, K-38, K-39, K-40
17th Submarine Flotilla (Murmansk): K-11, K-12, K-13, K-14, K-15, K-16, K-17, K-18, K-19, K-20

Northern Fleet Escort Forces Group
11th Cruiser Squadron (Murmansk): Varyag (F), Bayan, Pamyat' Mercurya, Pamyat' Azova
4th Aviation Ship Squadron (Murmansk): Castor, Orion, Cygnus,
1st Corvette Flotilla (Kronshtadt): 4 Sadko class Armed Merchant Escorts (refitted to AME 1939)

Northern Fleet Amphibious Forces Group
15th Cruiser Squadron (Murmansk): Askold (F), Pozharsky
1st Landing Flotilla (Murmansk): 6 Krokodil class landing ships, 1 Naval Infantry Battalion
Attached ships:
---- CVE Sirius
---- 6x DEs: Kapitan Kern, Kapitan Konon-Zotov, Kapitan Kroun, Kapitan I ranga Miklucha Maklai, Lieutenant Dubasov, Lieutenant Ilin

Northern Fleet Light Combatants Group
11th Corvette Flotilla (Arkhangelsk): 10 Myak class corvettes
12th Corvette Flotilla (Arkhangelsk): 10 Myak class corvettes
13th Corvette Flotilla (Murmansk): 10 Lilya class corvettes
15th Corvette Flotilla (Murmansk): 10 Roza class corvettes - refitted 1938-1939
16th Corvette Flotilla (Murmansk): 10 Roza class corvettes - refitted 1939
17th Corvette Flotilla (Murmansk): 10 Orchidia class corvettes
8th Patrol Flotilla (Murmansk): 10 Project 61 "Gostinitsa" type patrol boats
9th Patrol Flotilla (Arkhangelsk): 10 Project 61 "Gostinitsa" type patrol boats
6th Antisubmarine Flotilla (Murmansk): 10 AS-27 class subchasers
3rd Mine Warfare Flotilla (Murmansk): 12 Besed class mine warfare ships
8th Mine Warfare Flotilla (Murmansk): 10 Project 56 "Kashgar" mine warfare ships
2nd Fast Mine Flotilla (Murmansk): 10 Project 06 "Oka" fast minelayers
11th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Murmansk): 20 ANT-6 class MTB
12th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Arkhangelsk): 20 ANT-6 class MTB

Pacific Fleet
Pacific Fleet Aircraft Carrier Group (Petropavlovsk): Strashniy
14th Cruiser Squadron (Petropavlovsk): Admiral Senyavin (F), Admiral Heiden, Admiral Nevelsky, Admiral Butackov
4th Destroyer Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): Ognevoy, Ozornoi, Otverzhdyonny, Osmotritelny, Obraztsovy, Odaryonny
8th Destroyer Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): Izyaslav II, Fedor Stratilat, Dejatelnyj, Doblestnyj, Dostojnyj, Avtroil, Sokol, Zarkij, Zguchij, Spartak, Zivuchij, Zostkij

Pacific Fleet Submarine Group
12th Submarine Flotilla (Vladivostok): S-71, S-72, S-73, S-74, S-75, S-76, S-77, S-78, S-79, S-80
13th Submarine Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): L-1, L-2, L-3, L-4, L-5, L-6, L-7, L-8, L-9, L-10
14th Submarine Flotilla (Vladivostok): L-11, L-12, L-13, L-14, L-15, L-16, L-17, L-18, L-19, L-20,
15th Submarine Flotilla (Vladivostok): [I]S-61, S-62, S-63, S-64, S-65, S-66, S-67, S-68, S-69, S-70
18th Submarine Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): S-41, S-42, S-43, S-44, S-45, S-46, S-47, S-48, S-49, S-50
19th Submarine Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): S-51, S-52, S-53, S-54, S-55, S-56, S-57, S-58, S-59, S-60
20th Submarine Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): K-21, K-22, K-23, K-24, K-25, K-26, K-27, K-28, K-29, K-30

Pacific Fleet Light Combatants Group
9th Corvette Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): 10 Lilya class corvettes
10th Corvette Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): 10 Lilya class corvettes
3rd Patrol Flotilla (Okha): 10 Project 61 "Gostinitsa" type patrol boats
6th Patrol Flotilla (Vladivostok): 10 Project 61 "Gostinitsa" type patrol boats
10th Patrol Flotilla (Anadyr): 10 P-27 class patrol ships
11th Patrol Flotilla, Pacific Fleet (Petropavlovsk): 10 P-27 class patrol ships
9th Antisubmarine Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): 10 AS-27 class subchasers
10th Antisubmarine Flotilla (Vladivostok): 10 AS-27 class subchasers
10th Antisubmarine Flotilla (Anadyr): 10 AS-33 class subchasers
4th Mine Warfare Flotilla (Vladivostok): 10 Project 71 "Gematit" light minesweepers
5th Mine Warfare Flotilla (Vladivostok): 12 Besed class mine warfare ships
4th Fast Mine Flotilla (Vladivostok): 10 Uspekh class fast minelayers
5th Fast Mine Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): 10 Uspekh class fast minelayers
13th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Vladivostok): 20 ANT-8 class MTB
14th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Vladivostok): 20 ANT-8 class MTB
15th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Okha): 20 ANT-8 class MTB
16th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Petropavlovsk): 20 ANT-8 class MTB
4th Landing Flotilla (Vladivostok): 6 Krokodil class landing ships, 1 Naval Infantry Battalion

Franco-Russian South China Sea Task Force
13th Cruiser Squadron (Cam Ranh Bay): Kiev (F), Tver, Arkhangelsk, Stavropol, Magadan, Perekop
5th Patrol Flotilla (Cam Rahn Bay): 10 Project 61 "Gostinitsa" type patrol boats
7th Mine Warfare Flotilla (Cam Rahn Bay): 10 Project 56 "Kashgar" mine warfare ships
3rd Fast Mine Flotilla (Cam Rahn Bay): 10 Project 06 "Oka" fast minelayers
8th Antisubmarine Flotilla (Cam Rahn Bay): 10 AS-27 class subchasers
8th Corvette Flotilla (Cam Rahn Bay): 5 Lilya class corvettes
17th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Cam Rahn Bay): 20 ANT-8 class MTB

Caspian Sea Flotilla
Caspian Destroyer Flotilla (Baku): Armeniya (F), Caspianskiy
14th Corvette Flotilla (Baku): 10 Lilya class corvettes
4th Patrol Flotilla (Baku): 10 Project 61 "Gostinitsa" type patrol boats
25th Mine Warfare Division (Astrakhan): 10 Project 71 "Gematit" light minesweepers

Miscellaneous Units
Tenders and auxiliary units (such as fleet tankers and repair vessels) are administered by "Fleet Services Command" at the Admiralty in Petrograd, and assigned on an as-needed basis to the various geographic commands.

Naval Refueling Group
1st Support Flotilla (Novorossiysk): Betelgeuse, Protsion, Spika, Kapella
2nd Support Flotilla (Murmansk): Rigel, Akhernar, Fomal'gaut, Al'nitak
3rd Support Flotilla (Vladivostok): Al'tair, Skorpiona, Aludra, Kinosura
4th Support Flotilla (Murmansk): Kola, Novaya Zemlya, Taymyr, Gusinya Zemlya
5th Support Flotilla (Murmansk): Elbrus, Krestovsky, Livadiyskaya, Narodnaya

Repair and Support Group
Seaplane Tenders:
Zenit: detached duty, Brest, France
Emgeiten: Murmansk, Northern Fleet
Anapa: Okha, Pacific Fleet
Ivangorod: Cam Rahn, Pacific Fleet

Torpedo Cruiser Tenders:
Dalniy: Cam Rahn, Pacific Fleet
Anadyr: Sevastopol, Black Sea Fleet
Feodosiya: Tallinn, Baltic Fleet (Special Assignments Command)

Repair Ships:
Atlantic: Northern Fleet
Tikhiy: Pacific Fleet

Cargo Vessels:
19x Sadko-class merchant ships owned by the VMF Rossii. Ships are employed primarily by Glavsevmorput or Fleet Services, but may be contracted out to serve as general merchant vessels.

Icebreaker Command
Northern Sea Route Heavy Icebreaker Group (Murmansk): Admiral Rodzhestvenskiy, Admiral Felkerzam, Admiral Nebogatov
White Sea Icebreaker Group (Arkhangelsk): Arctica, Barentsevo More, Georgy Sedov, Kareliya
Laptev-Kara Icebreaker Group (Noril'sk): Karskoye More, Laptevykh More, Lena, Angara
Sea of Okhotsk Icebreaker Group (Anadyr): Pozharsky, Stepan Malygin, Svyatogor, Yamal
Baltic Sea Icebreaker Group (Tallinn): Shkval, Sneg, Solovei Budemirochich, Tikhaya
Gulf of Finland Icebreaker Group (Kronshtadt): Sankt-Peterburg, Metel', Kuzma Minin, Vaygach
Petrograd and Lake Ladoga Harbour Icebreaker Group: Gavrila Derzhavin, Alexander Bestuzhev, Marina Tsvetaeva, Nikolay Nekrasov
Reserve Icebreaker Group (Arkhangelsk): Belomore, Sibir, Buran, Alexsei Chirikov, Yermak, Purga

Disbanded Units
3rd Submarine Flotilla (Tallinn): Temporarily disbanded
6th Submarine Flotilla (Sevastopol): Temporarily disbanded
11th Submarine Flotilla (Murmansk): Temporarily disbanded
7th Patrol Flotilla (Magadan): Temporarily disbanded
1st Antisubmarine Flotilla (Kronshtadt): Temporarily disbanded
2nd Antisubmarine Flotilla (Tallinn): Temporarily disbanded
3rd Antisubmarine Flotilla (Sevastopol): Temporarily disbanded
4th Antisubmarine Flotilla (Odessa): Temporarily disbanded
5th Antisubmarine Flotilla (Vladivostok): Temporarily disbanded
7th Antisubmarine Flotilla (Murmansk): Temporarily disbanded
2nd Corvette Flotilla (Tallinn): Temporarily disbanded
3rd Corvette Flotilla (Tallinn): Temporarily disbanded
4th Corvette Flotilla (Sevastopol): Temporarily disbanded
5th Corvette Flotilla (Astrakhan): Temporarily disbanded
6th Corvette Flotilla (Vladivostok): Temporarily disbanded
7th Corvette Flotilla (Magadan): Temporarily disbanded
6th Mine Warfare Flotilla (Cam Rahn Bay): Temporarily disbanded

Q4/1947 Notable Ship Movements of the VMF Rossii
A general overview of the major exercises and operations being undertaken during Q4/1947 by the VMF Rossii. This list is not exhaustive.

Baltic Fleet
-- Exercise Kuressaare Krepost' (Kuressaare Castle): OG Gefest 1.1 (2nd Cruiser Squadron and 17th Cruiser Squadron) under V. Tributs participates in four-stage squadron-building exercise between Gotland and Saaremaa following delivery of Novik, Bogatyr, Rynda, and Diana. Fourth stage of exercise shifted south of Gotland due to ice.
-- Exercise Noyabr' v Tallinne (November in Tallinn): Baltic Sea light forces conduct training exercises (minelaying, minesweeping, and patrol) in the Gulf of Finland. Exercise terminated after seven ships are stuck in ice.
-- Operation Perikl (Pericles): Ships of 1st Guard Ship Flotilla and shore-based aircraft hunt for friendly and foreign submarines in the Gulf of Finland as part of a snap ASW training program.
-- Operation Tevtonskiy Orden (Teutonic Order): 2nd Cruiser Squadron shifts to Northern Fleet, making port calls in Germany, Denmark, and France (in transit at year's end).
-- Operational Exercise of Special Designation Pioner (Pioneer): 13th Destroyer Flotilla (Special Assignments Command) under P. Kozyukhin participating in extended multinational naval exercise with German Navy in Baltic Sea. (Ongoing)
-- Icebreakers Shkval and Vaygach support Exercise Noyabr' v Tallinne, freeing ships stuck in sea ice.

Black Sea Fleet
-- Exercise Debora (Deborah): Black Sea Fleet under F. Oktyabrsky conducts major fleet exercises in central Black Sea, between Crimea and Sinop. Exercise includes 34 surface ships, 10 submarines, and 220 aircraft.
-- Exercise Samson: 3rd Landing Flotilla conducts two simulated shore assaults in the vicinity of Novorossiysk and Anapa (training for Russian Marines).
-- Operation Inertsiya (Momentum): OG Nika under S. Gorshkov (6th Cruiser Squadron and part of 1st Guardship Flotilla) conducts port call to Piraeus, Heraklion, and Limassol. Exercise still continuing at the end of the year.

Northern Fleet
-- Exercise Almaz-9: OG Jove under G. Levchenko conducts training in Barents Sea, Norweigian Sea, and Atlantic Ocean during October and November, transiting the Denmark Strait and sailing as far south as the 58N. Force includes six carriers, one battlecruiser, and four battleships. OG Jove returns to Arkhangelsk and Murmansk prior to November 30th, with a total 42 days at sea.
-- Exercise Almaz-10: OG Yunona 1.3 under N. Lunin conducts submarine scouting exercise in the Barents Sea during early October, with 17 submarines participating.
-- All icebreakers active around White Sea and Arctic Ocean ports.
-- Guardship Tugarin and Mikula Selyaninovich on patrol in Norweigian and Barents Seas, taking weather readings and oceanographic observations near the edge of the polar icepack.

Pacific Fleet
-- Exercise Kamerun (Cameroon): OG Tserera under Admiral I. Yumashev conducts late fall fleet exercises in the Bering Sea with 29 days at sea.
-- Operation Bengaliya (Bengal): Destroyer Obraztsovy dispatched to Yellow Sea (off Qingdao) to observe maritime traffic for intelligence-gathering purposes; still at sea at year's end, with 63 days at sea.
-- Operation Gudzharat (Gujarat): Destroyer Ozornoi dispatched to East China Sea (off Shanghai) to observe maritime traffic for intelligence-gathering purposes; still at sea at year's end, with 58 days at sea.
-- Icebreaker Yamal attempts to free merchant ship trapped in ice on the Amur River, but foiled by shallow waters. Yamal briefly grounds (without damage). Merchant ship pushed ashore by ice and sinks; recovery abandoned after nine days.

Other
-- Sail training ship Nadezhda cruises in the South Atlantic, making port calls as far south as Cape Town.
-- Seaplane tender / experimental vessel Zenit remains in Brest, France, for collaborative weapons development project.

That's a nice round up of exercises.
I've often thought of doing that in the past but have never gotten round to it and it would be a lengthy task for the RN!

Quoted from "Hood"

That's a nice round up of exercises.
I've often thought of doing that in the past but have never gotten round to it and it would be a lengthy task for the RN!

I know it! Although I was somewhat surprised to notice that the VMF Rossii actually has more ships in the water than the RN at the moment (1309 vs 1194, per your Q1/48 report). However, most of the difference is felt at the bottom end, since the Russians maintain a lot more light craft. I also have some built-in geographic divisions that constrain things somewhat. In 1948, I'm probably going to start doing the same sort of writeup for the French.

For clarification, I'm not going for an exhaustive list of every single ship movement or exercise that the VMF Rossii does - because, as you can probably understand, it would just get mind-bogglingly complex. Mostly, I'm trying to show highlights - big fleet exercises, things people might find interesting or provocative, new formations that might be entering service, etc.

I'm also, over the course of the year, trying to show a bit of a hibernation cycle for the Northern Fleet. If you watch these reports for the course of a year, you'll see that the Northern Fleet threw a lot of exercises with a lot of ships during Q2 and Q3, but operations are pretty scaled back for Q4, and will be so again in Q1. The way I see it, Russian Northern Fleet spends their summer months training harder than everyone else, and then their winter months mostly in port undertaking the bulk of their scheduled maintenance cycle, catching up on paperwork, etc. Of course, you'll see at-sea training even in Q1 at the height of winter, but it isn't done with large fleets.

What I might do, however, is start sending one of Russia's carrier divisions every Q1 to visit Atlantis or French North Africa (maybe even the Med) in order to run aviator training for AV-MF (Naval Aviation) just so the pilots continue getting flying hours even in winter-time.



Since I'm commenting already, I'll add a few notes on names and designations. The Russians use the term Exercise to designate training for multiple divisions, flotillas, etc. Meanwhile, an Operation is used to designate something that falls outside the normal pattern of readiness exercises. It can be applied to a foreign port call / flag-waving cruise (for example, Operation Inertsiya or last quarter's Operation Trikolor), a fleet or squadron movement, an intelligence-gathering mission, or something of that sort. In other words, Russia expects to gain something, even if it's just a bit of prestige or recognition.

Each fleet command tends to have their own habits with regards to names. For instance, Northern Fleet selects one code-name for all of their major exercises for a year. For 1947, it was Almaz; and then they added numeric designations for the exercise series. Pacific Fleet uses the names of geographic regions (Tanzaniya, Bengaliya, etc), but occasionally drops in a few other names just for variety.

There's also a special exception that is noteworthy here: Operational Exercise of Special Designation Pioner. in case this isn't obvious, Bruce is writing this up under the German name Unternehmen Wachsame Entschlossenheit. Since it was a lot of both one and the other, the Russians ended up calling it a "Operational Exercise of Special Designation".

Since I tend to write a lot of news, I've not felt the need to write up such an extensive summary; but it does give me several ideas on how to 'jazz-up' the news feed, which tends to get stale from time to time. Thanks for sharing it.

Quoted from "BruceDuncan"

Since I tend to write a lot of news, I've not felt the need to write up such an extensive summary; but it does give me several ideas on how to 'jazz-up' the news feed, which tends to get stale from time to time. Thanks for sharing it.

Welcome. :)

Quoted from "Brockpaine"

Although I was somewhat surprised to notice that the VMF Rossii actually has more ships in the water than the RN at the moment (1309 vs 1194, per your Q1/48 report). However, most of the difference is felt at the bottom end, since the Russians maintain a lot more light craft.

I'm not too surprised, I have been quietly pruning the fleet of older ships and most future replacements are going to mainly be like-for-like so the fleet should remain fairly static if not a little smaller. I've not been keeping a manpower record recently but I felt that the fleet was getting too large for what could realistically be supported by manpower and maintenance resources not to mention Treasury purse-strings.