ABSTRACT
Imperial Russia's power and influence was linked with the development of sea power in the Baltic Sea. The Russian attempt to control the Baltic Sea has a long history. Ivan the Terrible displayed a keen interest in Baltic commerce and even hoped to establish a port bearing his name near the mouth of the Neva River. Imperial Russia's sea-power tradition in the Baltic was both long and colorful and was related to the changing fortunes of the tsars. The organization and complement of ships, aircraft, and naval infantry assigned to the Soviet Baltic Sea Fleet provide an indication of force capabilities. The fleet has four major missions: controlling the Baltic Sea, controlling the Danish straits, supporting Soviet ground force operations, and supporting Soviet Northern Fleet operations. Control of the Baltic is both a peacetime and a wartime mission. During peacetime, the Soviet fleet attempts to apply continuous pressure on all of the Baltic coastal states and Norway.
