THE CASPIAN FLOTILLA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 27, 2013
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: February 26, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part- Sanitized CopyApprovedforRelease @ 50-Yr2013/06/27 ? CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
50X1
, CLASSIFICATION SECRET/SECURITY ittrutuitu, diro"
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
COUNTRY
INFORMATION REPORT
USSR
,SUBJECT The Caspian Flotilla
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED Y SOURCE
DATE OF INP6OR1Oft'DIU:
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATEll AT(ECTINO THE NATIONAL OFFENSE
Or TIES UNITED STATES, WITN)N TNHWANTIEf OF TITLE II, SECTIONS f93
AND TIES, Or. THE U.S. COOE, Al AMWNOTO.. Ill TRANIMIlSION OR DERE.
LAWION or US CONTENTS ro ON RICEIFT.,00 AN UNAUTHORIZED 'AMISS IS
PRONilITES or LAW. THE REPRODUCTPON Ot THIS FORM IS PRONISITEO.
SOURCE
NO. OF ENCLS. 5
(LISTED BELOW)(A): (B) (0
(E )
SUPPLEMENT TO
WORT NO.
50X1
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
50X1
1. I do not have detailed information on the Caspian Flotilla, however I do know
ship types, the number of ships in the flotilla and some emergency measures to be
taken in the event of war.
2. The Caspian Flotilla is based in the city of B44 in the Ballow emotion (betweet
the Morskoy BullVer and the Ship Repair Zavod Parishmkaya Kommuna) and also
at a second base in the area ef Bukhta Illioha. Lithe City of Astrakhan there
is a unit of marines (address, Ulitsa Sverdloval2a branch of the Rydrographic
Department of the Naval Ministry, and a gunboat, the ERAS= AZERBAIDZHAN. The
gunboat arrived in 1950 and is located on the left bank of the Volga in the area
of pier #13.
? Lithe period from 1941 to 194, the Flotilla was composed or 15 basic combat
units. During the period of eetbat operations during World War II the Flotilla
was augmented by the mobilisation of Mb:chant Fleet vessels. Commencing in 1946
and up until the time I left the Caspian Sea region in 1951, the naval forces
were being increased by the arrival of new veletas. I can remember a total of
about 29 ships which cane down the Volga River and passed through Astrakhan on
the way to Baku for eventual assignment to the Caipian Flotilla. Weaver, naval
laid hulls for the Ministry of the Nbrohant Flewbvprinaipally tug's, are being
built with the idea of immaditte.00lveriion to cothat'use in the event of militc
necessity. Thls type of tug is being built by the Shipyard Vino Sturua and
the Riga Ship Repair-Shipbuilding Yard.
4. In addition to this new ship eonstruotion program there was also a plan put into
operation for the modernisation of the old naval vessels in the Caspian Sea..
From 1947 through 1910 all of the old gunboats and guardboats of the Caspian
Flettlla had gone north up the Volga River to either Gorki or Ira tnoarmeyek for
modernisation. These vessels all returned to the Caspian Flotilla and the alter
Alone included additional armamentl-increaaed armor and modernisation of the
engineering spaces. It is m' understanding that if a gunboat Carries mines and
related equipment it becomes known is a destroyer (minonocets).
CLASSIFICATION SECRET
SECURITY INFORMATION
BUTioN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047ROnn9nn4Rnnn9_R
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
SECRET/SECURTTY INFORMATION 50X1
- 2 -
5. The old ships which were in the flotilla from 1941 to 1945 are set forth below.
(a) Gunboats (kanonerskaya lodka).
The XRASNYY AZERBAYDZHAN and the LENIN. These ships were constructed in Russia
before the revolution and have the following characteristics:
Displacement
Length
Width
Draft
Crew
Steed
Horsepower
L5e Enclosure (A),
600 to 650 tons
60 meters
8.5 meters
2,5 Meters
85 mom
14 knots
500 bp'
sketch #2.7
The Main engines on each vessel consist of two Nobel-type internal combustion en-
gines with a cruising radius of only about 2,000 miles. The armament consists of
two 120mm guns, two 100mm guns and four machine guns on each vessel.
The ALTifATER? the MARKIN, and the BAKINSKIY ROOMY were also constructed before
the revolution and have the folloeimg characteristics:
Displacement
Length
Width
Draft
Crew
Speed
700 tons
73 meters
7. to 7.3 meters
3.5 meters
90 ssok
25 knots
The Main engines consist of a pair of triple expansion steam engines with a capacity
of 6,000 horsepower. There are four t ar, Yarrow-type steam boilers on each
vessel. (See Enclosure (A), sketch #
The armament of each ship is four 100mm gum, one )7mm gun, and two maohine guns.
In addition each vessel cal take on 20 mines.
Auxiliary vessel (vspomogatellnocsudno).
The =MAN is a transport, steam driven; displacing about 2400 tons and is used
as flotilla flagship during maneuvers and other operation'.
Guard vessels (storoshe
The KNOREK, the KUZMA,
Displacement
Length
Width
Draft
Speed
Ebrespower
Armand
Crew
The AL/ BAYRAUDV has the
Displacement
Length
Width
Draft
Crew
Speed
Horsepower
Armament
korabli)ic '
VYDRA &ad tho LAMA have the following sharaoteristicel
180.200 Otero
40 meters
7 meters
2,6 meters
12 loots
3,0 hp
Two 7,mm guns and also a few machine guns
3, men
following characteristics:
400 tons
50 meters
7.5 meters
2.8 meters
50 men
12 knots
500 bp
5 47mm guns and a few machine guns.
(d) Submarines (podvodnaya lodka).
There are four submarines, whose names
characteristics:
Displacement
Length
Width
Draft
Crew
Surface speed
Submerged speed
Armament
I don't blow, which have
200 tons,
35 meters
4 meters
2.2 meters
18 to 20 man
15 knots
8 knots
two torpedo tubes and one 37mm gun.
57ee Enclosure (B)? sketch #g
the following
The new ships which passed through Astrakhan enroute to Baku. from 1946 to 1951 bp-
elusive are listed by type below. ,New combatant-type Ships were added to the
SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
-3-
Flotilla during this period and totaled it least 29 vessels, Included in this total
were destroyers p gunboats p armored landing barges and submarines. I witnessed the
transfer of these ships and as far as I know they are all still in the Caspian Flotilla.
(a) Destroyers (minonosets).
There are four destroyers whose names I don't know, although one destroyer was
numbered 107 and passed ttirough. Astrakhan enroute to Baku in 1949 or 1950. The
destroyers have the following characteristics:
Displacement 1,000 to 1,100 toms
Length SO meters
Width S meters
Draft 2.5 to 2.8 meters
Crew 130 men
Speed 2548 knots
Horsepower 11,000 to 20,000 hp
The vessels are driven by steam turbines and have twin screwe, noir snolosure (3),
sketch 4/
The armament of each vessel cob/lists of four 100mm guns, two 37mm guns, one or two
rocket installations, four 450m torpedo tubes, two depth charge rack*, twc machine
guns, and up to 50 mine. may be carried.
There was some equipment amidships On the well decke of the destroyers *toll was
Covered with canvae. I don't knOw but think think this equipment was prebably
torpedoes, rockets and depth charges. 50X1
(b) Gunboats (kanonerskeys lodka)
There are eight gunboats whose names 1 don't know, which have the following charge-
teristices
Displacement, 800 tons
Length 70 meters
Width 7, to 744 meters
Draft 2.8 meters
Grew 100 men
Speed 25.430 knots
Horsepower 1Z,000 hp
The main engine. oonsist,..of steam engines and the vessels have twin mews, iiee
Encloeure (0), sketch #1/
The armament of slush vessel includes three 100mm gum, two 37,111m MOP two maims
gum and one or two rocket installations.
(0) Submarines (podvodnaya lodka)
There are five submarinen whose as I don't know, two of whieh have the following
characteritticss
Displacement 600 tons
Length 70 meters
Width 7 meters
Draft 3. to 3.2 miters
Crew 30 men
Horsepower 1,000 hp
The submarines have Diesel engines as their main propulsion plant.
The armament of these two submarines consist' of four torpedo tubesand proposed
mount for one 100m gun and one 37mm gun. awe Enclosure (0), sketeh
The characteristics of the other three submarines are:
Displacement 730 tons
Length
Width
Draft
Grew
Horsepower
80 meters
8 meters
3 meters
3/mm
1,200'hp
heard that the latter three submarines had a Diesel electric main pr 'son plant
with a four bladed, counter-propeller type screw.
For additional, information about these five submarines sip my reports on Soviet Sub-
marines in the Caspian Sea 50X1
(d) Armored landing barges (bronedesantnaya barsha). There were twelve of these barges
but I do not %now their names or nunbers, I have no onset information abou*, these
barges mince I saw them only ono at the time of the transfer and 1 had rt._ pereonal
SErRET/SEGURITY INFORMATION
?
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
SECRET/8E0MM INFORWTION
50X1
aCqUeiri,Ances abcerd the vessela
Length
Width
Draft
30 meters
6 to 8 meters
0.5 meters or less
Internal combustion engines propel these vessels. The bow section can bot owered.
Both the bo W and etwurfaces are flat withput any angular formations. 43ee En-
closure (D)p sketch 50X1
Experiences in World War II revealed that a number of merchant. vessels could he gUeeeea-
fully utilized in military operations as combat units. The Lastockba *lase of tugs
demonstrated especially good combat qualities en action at theeseige of Stalingrad. '
There are six tugs of this olass in operation. All steemehips, the eAMYAT TOv VOYKOVA,
the DZRAMBUR (fornerly the DZERZEINRKTY),1 tbe FROFINTERN, the KUZIMWHEvt the MIT--
SKIY, the 10th GODOVSHCH/NA OKTYABRYee Jab Enclosvre (D), sketch #8A/
The superstructures of thee ships are steel except for the charthoule.
deck there are two platforms for installing antiaircraft maehire guns or
The teehnioal condition of these tugs is 'excellent.
Beginning in 1946 be Riga Ship Repair-Shipbuilding Yard and the Shipyard
Sturua (located in Bek) started produation of tugboats. These tugs were
With a view to their possible use in melitary operatione. Renee there is
maining to be done to these tugs to convert them to military use.
The Riga Yard *onetructed for Reydetanker two 500 hp horsepower tugs, Diesel engines, and.
named the OVARDEETS ate the PARTIZANeeind also five 1/0 borsepower tugs, the STRUN,
50X1 The ouperstruatures of these tuga ere steel exoept
50X1
Or VI" spar
rtm
i/n vane
coestrected
little r*
for the chart bowed.
Sines the end of 1946 the Shipyard i/n Vino Stuma has gained considerable prominenoe
due to the military potential of the tugboats whioh the yard has been OonstruJtingi
Although these tugs are being ooestrue ed for Reydtaziker and Kasptanker (Caspian Oil
Tanker Steamehte eeenev) and Kaspflot Capplea Dry Cargo Steamohip Ay) they 4re
readily eonvertible to military omit1 one. These tugs are * lately 'steel, ix:lauding
the superstruoture. On the decks of the tugs mounts bave been ilt for ready iestalla-
tion of gun* and on the spar deck the** are platfoeux for antiaircraft mounts, This
wooden flcoring of the deeks an be readily dismantled IA the interests of 41amage control.
From 1946 to 1948 etandard tugo numbered from #1 to #14 were oonstructed ilefoeding the
BURNIY, the BEDOVOY, the BISTRYle thelDITEWNYY, the um , the 3FOS9CRADNYY,
the EOYKIY, and the BODRYY. 404040 Enolowure (s), sketch #9
The main internal combustion enginee of these tags are 100 borsepowee' saab, iv.vinga
single screw.
These tugs have the tollowirg characteristic.
Displacement
Length
Width
Draft
Crew
Speed (no load)
200.220 tons
30 meters
7 meters
3. to 3.2 meters
26 men
le to 13 knots
In 1948 construction was begun at the Yard e/n Vino Sturua on a class of t4i known as
the BURY-type motor ship. The tugs were supposed to be quite stellar to te first
fourteen, just described above, and _were assigned numbers 11 to 22. These tug* were to
be a little larger than the first group, howeVer, and were to have twin sorewe driven
by SOO horsepower Diesel engines. Two of these tugs were to he delivered to horitaaker
but as of June 1911, when I left the Caspian Sea region, the construetion plan was
still not fulfilled. ?
In 1910 the shipyard i/r, Vane Sturua began conetruotion of a third class of' tugboats
which, wee* to have twin screws and a 1200 boreepower main engine. It wee planned to
construct ten of these :tugs ard the numbers 21 to 32 were assigned to the program. By
June 1911, none of theme tugs had been placed in operation.
In 1951, and in preceding rears, I had informetion that the maneuvere of tee Caspian
Flotilla were conducted in the areas between Derhent and KulieMayek (10oate4 north of
Krasnovedsk). I donVt know ary details on the rature of the maneuver, but it was corn-
mon belief that besides the usual tiring' and tactics, a great deal of attentien was
given to the training of penponnel in landing operations.
The character of the terrain in the general areas where the maneu
as follows:
(a) The region of Methaehkala, The sea has a stony bottom and there are eef oult
peen Sea and storme most frequen Arise , Arta a maxiMart elvflnt
approgebes to the ehoree. In tioneehlV be most , Ibulent, par of .1)0 A
BEr/SIEC; IIVORMA:
A
u tad is
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
- 5 -
(-13) The rerTion of Ku1J-Mayak0 The sea has a sandy bottornvery-,sballow water, and
a large: number of shtalsarvdtmcamAlthic4,render:an approach to the shore extremely
bazatclaas. "Mbreover9 in the -summeraeasoni the tetperature of the air rises to
460 - 48? C.
10. All of the new naval vessels in the Caspian Flotilla have been equipped with radar (offi-
cially called radio lokator - RL). There are only two or three of the old vessels in
the Flotilla which have radar however. A person operating the radar equipment, a radar-
mans is called a lokatorshchik. I am unable to describe any of the antenna or even give
a rough. sketch- because I never had a close enough look to note any details,
11. All ships of the Ministry of the Merchant Fleet are equipped with antimine defenses. The
follnwip17 nhips are equipped with. protective, cable avoand-their hulls to protect them
from magnetic mines,
(a) Kasptariker
The BERM
? KAGANOVICH
? PROFINTERN
STALIN
MOLOTOV
VKP (B)
ZHDANOV
? LENIN
AGAMALI OGLY
KONUNTERE
? RABOCHri
KRESMANIN
TRETIY INTERNATSIONAL
VALERIY CHKALOV
? KILIYA
(b) Kaspflot
The AZERBAIDZHAN
(0)
ft
H
BAGIROV
AZERBAYDZHANSKII
DAGESTAN
KUYBYSHEV
TELIMAN
KAPUR MANEDOV
KATUNI
OHOROKH
Reydtanker planned. in 1931 to equip the following ships with antimineb.1te.
The AKADMIK VILIYAMS
" BAORATION
? SORMOIVETS
H AKADEMIK ZEUKOVSKIY
? KAPITAN KRASNOV
? METALLIST
- end -
1
ENCLOSURE A s Two Sketches of Soviet Gunboat:I
B 1 Sketch of Soviet Submarine and Deetroyer
C : Sketch of Soviet Gunboat and Submarine
D ; Sketch of Soviet Armored Landing Bargee - BD-2 and Soviet boat
E 1 Sketob of Soviet Tugboat
SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
ENCLOSURE (A) SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
GlAnbOats
The, ,KRA SOY ,AZERB
7he LIEN3 N
TWO SEETNES OF SOVIET GUNBOATS
Sketch #3
G unto a.t s
The ALT FNMA
The MARK' 14
The BAK INSAtlY "RABOCXIY
C OIIIy, , I
Sketch #2.
SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
JOSUE (B) SEGRET/SEGURITT INFORMATION
SKETCH OF SOVIET SUBMARINE .AND DESTROYER
Submarines
Four un-named boats
Sketch #3
Destroyers
Four un-named ships
* ? A
"
Skett,II #4
SY;GRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
;CLOSURE (0) SECRET/SECURITY INFORNATION
tnboats
ght un-named vessels
SKETCH OF SOVIET GUNBOAT AND SUBMARINE
Sketch #5
avarinee
ro un-named boats
t
Sketch
SECRET/SECURITY DTFORWCION
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
:NCLOSURE (D) SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
SKETCH OF SOVIET ARMORED LANDING BARGES - BDB-2 AND SOVIET TUGBOAT
_Armored landing barges -13.1)E5-2,
Twelve un-named vessels
Sketch #7
Tagboate - The ROUT TOV. VOYKOVA
" DZHAUBUR (Formerly the DZERZHINSKIY)
" FROFINTERN
" KUZINCIOHEV
" URITSKIY
" 10 00DOV3HOHINA =MERU
Sketch #8
SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6
ENCLOSURE _(E) SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
SKETCH OF SOVIET TUGBOAT
Tugboats ? Fourteen in olase
The BURNIY
BEDOVOY
BYSTRYY
" BDITEL 'MY
BESSTRASHNYY
" BESPOSHCHADNYY
" BOYKIY
n BODRYY
SECRET/SECURITY INFORMATION
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/27: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200460002-6