This is a video of a 1/350 scale Russian Carrier Strike Group (CSG_ centered on their (only) carrier the Kuznetsov.
The group consists of the Russian carrier, the Kuznetsov which is embarking an air-wing of SU-33s, Mig-29Ks, and SU-25 as well as helicopters for AEW and ASW.
The carrier is strongly protected with its own air defenses, the strongest air defense on any carrier, the nuclear battle cruiser Peter The Great Kirov cruiser which is the most heavily armed class of ships on earth. Originally the Soviets built four of them, but only one is operational (this one) and a second is being modernized. These large ships diplace on the order of 25,000 to 30,000 tons.
it also contains the Varyag a Slava class cruiser displacing 12,5000 tons, a Udaloy II destroyer displacing 9,000 tons which is a very strong multi-role destroyer with strong ASW capabilities, a new Gorshkov frigate displacing 5,400 tons which is the Russians newest surface combatant and the one the intend on haing replace the Udaloy and soremenny destroyers. You can tell by seeing it its strong stealth characteristics and strong VLS outifit.
In addition, the group contains an Oscar II SSGN carrying 20 long range, very powerful anti-shipping missiles, and one of the newest nuclear attack submarines in the Russian inventory, the Yassen. The Yassen class is a mixed SSN/SSGN carrying a number of anti-surface missiles too. They are said to be as strong as the Virginia class.
The troubles the Russians are having are severe economic. In the last ten years they have only been able to produce two of these new frigates and two of the new submarines. They are falling dangerously behind the US Navy and the PLA (Chinese Navy) who are producing new, modern destroyer and submarines as wel as carriers.
The Chinese have just completed their second carrier and are working now on a 3rd and 4th CATOBAR carrier. They also have finished building four cruiser sized modern combatants that play the same role as the Ticonderoga cruiser the US has 22 of.
Nevertheless, the Russian carrier group is an extremely strong carrier strike group. The SU-33s and Mig-29Ks are both very strong, multi-mission aircraft that would pose a threat to any other group if they were able to get off strike against them.
With the US now placing 5th generation stealth strike fighters on their carriers however, this will be harder and harder to do.
Please take a look at the videos of the US Carrier Strike Group and the Chinese Strike group, as well as several other 1/350 scale ship formations I have on this channel.
