The Russian Navy commissioned the Project 22800 missile boat Burya into the Baltic Fleet.
The small missile ship Burya, of the Karakurt class, has officially joined the Baltic Fleet, equipped with the Kalibr cruise missile system and the modern Pantsir-M air defense system.
The Russian Federation Navy has officially commissioned the small missile ship Burya, part of Project 22800 Karakurt, into the Baltic Fleet. A solemn flag-raising ceremony was held in Baltiysk, attended by Admiral Sergey Lipilin, representatives of the Baltic Fleet Command, and leaders of the shipbuilding company.
Powerful firepower in a compact design.
The Burya missile boat is optimally designed for attack missions in coastal and nearshore areas. The ship's strength lies in its versatile complex system with eight vertical launch tubes, capable of deploying Kalibr-NK cruise missiles or P-800 Onyx supersonic anti-ship missiles.
In terms of air defense and close-range combat capabilities, the ship is equipped with the modern Pantsir-M anti-aircraft missile-gun system, along with a 76.2mm AK-176MA cannon and two 6-barreled 30mm AK-630M cannons. This combination allows the ship to defend itself against airborne threats and small surface targets from the enemy.
Development process and operating context
Construction of the Burya began in 2016 at the Pella shipyard and it was launched in 2018. The tests focused on engine performance, control systems, and the accuracy of its weapon systems before it met combat standards.
The Project 22800 Karakurt plays a crucial role in Russia's naval modernization strategy, helping to maintain a flexible presence in narrow seas. However, this class of ship also faces significant challenges in combat. Notably, on May 3, 2026, a ship of the same class from Project 22800 was hit and destroyed by Ukrainian forces at the port of Primorsk, Leningrad region. This is considered a significant loss to Russia's efforts to deploy MRS (Mini-Missile Light Vehicles) in the region.
