Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk01/2021


Task force composition

As reported by OSINT on the morning of January 10

General Events

January 04
Baltic Fleet Altay class replenishment oiler RFS Kola was reported anchored in a position 26 miles north of the Port of Beni Saf, Algeria. [1]

January 05
Rescue tug SB-738 Prof. Nikolay Maru was reported on a westbound course between Malta and Sicily at 0930Z [2]. The rescue tug is escorting a kilo class submarine, presumably the RFS Novorossiysk [3].

January 06
The Altay class replenishment oiler RFS Kola is at anchor at the Alidade Bank near the Algerian coast [4]. It appears that the vessel is awaiting a rendezvous with other warships.

January 07
RFS Kola departed the anchorage at the Alidade Bank near the Algerian coast and headed on a course northeast, deeper into the Mediterranean. [5]

January 08
RFS Kola is reported in a position 44 miles east of Melilla. The vessel is back on a western course towards the Strait of Gibraltar [6]. It is likely that the RFS Kola is waiting for the arrival of the frigate RFS Admiral Kasatonov who was reported halfway the English Channel by 0100Z [7]. RFS Admiral Kasatonov has been sailing without a replenishment vessel since she left Murmansk and will be in need of refueling in the coming days.

January 09
Projekt 22870 rescue tug Prof. Nikolay Muru was reported at a position 28 nautical miles north of Bizerte, Tunis. the vessel is heading westwards towards the Strait of Gibraltar. Altay class oiler RFS Kola was reported 38 nautical miles of Oran, Algeria. Both positions were reported at 0915Z. [8]
The rescue tug Prof. Nikolay Muru was seen on Dec 29 escorting an improved Kilo class submarine, presumably the RFS Novorossiysk [9]. 

The Steregushchy class corvette RFS Stoiky and her escorting sea tug Yakov Grebelsky have arrived in the port of Tartus, Syria. According to Russian Media, the vessels will undergo inspection as well as replenishment of food, fuel and water. Once the replenishment has been completed, the vessels are expected to take part in exercises held with other vessels of the Mediterranean task force. [10]

Altay class oiler RFS Kola returned to the Alidade Bank northwest of Oran, Algeria. [11]

January 10
Commercial satellite imagery showed the Altay class oiler RFs Kola still located at the Algerian coast near Oran. Steregushchy class corvette RFS Stoiky was spotted at sea between Syria and Cyprus on a southwestern course. [12]


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