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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk46/2024

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Nov-16 Weekly Brief Reported activity remains low, limited to the port visit of the Merkury to Algeria. The port visit came at a moment when Algeria is discussing the acquisition of new surface vessels for its navy. Russia most likely hoped to influence Algeria in choosing for a Russian design. A new task force has entered the Mediterranean composed of the Gorshkov class frigate Admiral Golovko and her escorting fleet oiler Vyazma. It looks like Russia might be rotating the Admiral Gorshkov out in the upcoming weeks. Daily Events November 10 Steregushchy class corvette Merkury arrived in the port of Algiers for a three day long port visit [ 1 ]. November 15 Fleet oiler Vyazma reportedly passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean [ 2 ]. The vessel is most likely operating together with the frigate Admiral Golovko. Russian sources report the Admiral Golovko in the Mediterranean on November 16th [ 3 ],
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk45/2024

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Nov-09 Weekly Brief No differentiation in the pattern of naval activity was observed during the past week. Russia appears to keep a surface action group of two surface vessels at sea. Daily Events November 5 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk, frigate Admiral Gorshkov and fleet oiler Yelnya [ 1 ].
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk44/2024

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Nov-02 Weekly Brief The rate of naval deployments by the task force remains high with most vessels still at sea. Frigate Admiral Gorshkov was observed docking at Bizerte, Tunisia. Her presence at Bizerte corresponds with similar activity by other Russian vessels whereby Russia is trying to increase its maritime and military presence in various countries on the African continent. Tunisia is not a strong partner unlike neighboring Algeria and is more a neutral country. Russia is targeting these countries in order to increase diplomatic and economic connections in an attempt to circumvent Western economic sanctions. Daily Events October 27 Russian vessel General Skobelev is reported southeast of Cyprus according to her AIS signals. The vessel is heading in the direction of Tartus [ 1 ]. October 29 Frigate Admiral Gorshkov has arrived in the port of Bizerte, Tunisia. The vessel will hold several events for the Russian Embassy an
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk42/2024

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Oct-19 Weekly Brief Russia's task force was observed out of port on October 16th, with the exception of the submarine Novorossiysk. The deployment of two frigates, one corvette and a supporting oiler is one of the larger ones of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean in recent months and might indicate a heightened state of alert in reaction to the ongoing instability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Daily Events October 16 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus showed only the Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk to be present [ 1 ]. Russian oil tanker General Skobelev has entered the Mediterranean. Her passage at the Strait of Gibraltar was visually observed [ 2 ]. The passage took place during the evening [ 3 ]. October 18 Weapons runner Ursa Major has her AIS signal reported 45 nautical miles west of the Strait of Gibraltar [ 4 ].
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk41/2024

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Oct-12 Weekly Brief Russia's Mediterranean task force has been reduced significantly since the departure of the Ufa, composing now of just one submarine, two frigates and a corvette. All vessels are however capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles, meaning that these vessels are able to project a limited form of military power in the region. Not much movement is reported by OSINT sources but it is clear that Russia is rotating its vessels at sea with frigate Admiral Gorshkov returning to port and frigate Admiral Grigorovich going out to sea. Corvette Merkury remained at sea after escorting the submarine Ufa towards Suez. Russia might be rotating its vessels in order to keep a permanent watch over Western naval vessels operating between Cyprus and Lebanon. Daily Events October 11 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Improved Kilo submarine Novorossiysk, frigate Admiral Gorshkov [ 2 ] and fl
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk40/2024

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Oct-05 Weekly Brief Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa departed the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. The departure comes a week after the arrival of the Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk at Tartus. Kilo-class submarines tend to stay in the Mediterranean for a year long deployment, operating from Tartus, Syria. The Ufa departed in her tenth month since her arrival in the Mediterranean.  The departure of the Ufa limits Russian abilities to keep track of Western naval movements in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially naval deployments in the vicinity of Lebanon. The Ivan Gren class landing ship Ivan Gren was observed departing the Mediterranean. Her entry went unnoticed by OSINT sources. The Ivan Gren departed Casablanca on September 26th, meaning that she was only present in the Mediterranean for 1 to 2 days before heading out again. Daily Events September 29 Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, Steregushchy class corv
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk39/2024

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Sep-28 Weekly Brief Weapons runner Ursa Major has reappeared in the Mediterranean. The vessel is known to transport military equipment from Syria towards Saint Petersburg but occasionally also supplies other Russian allies within the region. OSINT source were unable to report any activity regarding the task force itself. Daily Events September 24 Weapons runner Ursa Major was reported in the Strait of Gibraltar, entering the Mediterranean [ 1 ].
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