Russian Navy - News and Analysis

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

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 ].

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Sep-21 Weekly Brief Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk has arrived at the Syrian port of Tartus. The location of the submarine went unreported for over a week since the sub was last observed near the Portuguese coast. The arrival of the Novorossiysk will not result in the departure of the submarine Ufa. Kilo class submarine tend to be present in the Mediterranean for about a year, meaning that the Ufa has about three months left to go before departing to Vladivostok. At the moment there are also no dedicated escorts to transfer the Ufa from Tartus to Russia's Far East. Daily Events September 19 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Improved Kilo class submarines Ufa and Novorossiysk, frigate Admiral Grigorovich, corvette Merkury and fleet oiler Yelnya [ 1 ].

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Sep-14 Weekly Brief The task force, with the exception of the fleet oiler Yelnya, departed the port of Tartus. It is unknown why the task force left in full force but this activity might be linked to the Russian Okean-2024 exercise that is ongoing in this week. Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk was last reported near Cape St Vincent but any updates about its current location are unknown. The submarine is expected to enter the Mediterranean and reinforce the task force. Daily Events September 11 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of fleet oiler Yelnya [ 1 ].

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Sep-07 Weekly Brief Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin, most likely escorted by the frigate Neustrashimy, unexpectedly departed the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. Their destination was not reported though several Russian interests are present in the region such as Sudan, Yemen and Iran. A long term Indian Ocean deployment appears to be unlikely since these deployments are almost always handled by vessels of Russia's Pacific Fleet. Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk has been closing in on the Strait of Gibraltar. The submarine and her escorts could be entering the Mediterranean in Week 37. Daily Events September 02 Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin is reported 120 to 140 nautical miles from the entrance of the Suez Canal. The vessel is escorted by an unidentified frigate [ 1 ]. September 03 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, frigate Admiral Grigorovich, Stere

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Aug-31 Weekly Brief Limited activity inside the Mediterranean as the Russian Navy is deploying in the near vicinty. Amphibious landing vessel Ivan Grenn is heading back from Arica after deploying military personnel to Malabo in Equatorial Guinea [ a ] while Black Sea Fleet Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk is most likely heading towards the Mediterranean after departing the Baltic Sea on August 29th [ b ]. Daily Events August 26 The Pioneer, a sanctioned LNG tanker, was observed transferring Russian LNG to the New Energy tanker at an undisclosed location in the Mediterranean [ 1 ]. August 27 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, frigate Admiral Gorshkov, fleet oiler Akademik Pashin and rescue tug Alatau [ 2 ].