Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk03/2021

Task Force composition
As reported by OSINT on the morning of January 24

Weekly brief

Naval activity during this week was minimal with RFS Admiral Kasatonov conducting a port visit at Algiers before heading towards the eastern end of the Mediterranean. Steregushchy class corvette RFS Stoiky held a regular combat exercise against simulated surface and air targets on the 22nd. The exercise focused on defending against asymmetric threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles and fast attack craft. 

Daily Events

January 18
Gorshkov class frigate RFS Admiral Kasatonov and rescue tug Nikolay Chiker arrived at the port of Algiers, Algeria for a three day visit which will last until January 20. During her stay, the frigate will replenish her supply of fresh water and food. This port visit is reported to be the first of several others which will take place across the Mediterranean. [1] [2]
The replenishment oiler RFS Kola is rumored to be also present in Algiers though no evidence was provided. [3]

January 19
A video of the port of Algiers, Algeria, only showed the frigate RFS Admiral Kasatonov and rescue tug Nikolay Chiker [4]. The absence of the oiler RFS Kola in the video fragment indicates that she did not  moored in Algiers and is still at sea.

January 20
RFS Admiral Kasatonov and rescue tug Nikolay Chiker left the port of Algiers and continue their deployment in the Mediterranean. [5]

January 22
Steregushchy class corvette RFS Stoiky held a combat exercise against asymmetric threats at an unidentified location in the Mediterranean. The corvette engaged simulated sea and air targets with its A-190 100mm main canon, its AK-630 close -in weapon systems and the Redut air defense system. The air defense exercise included a drill on engaging unmanned aerial vehicles. Naval Infantry stationed on the warships trained in fighting off an attack of high-speed small-sized craft attacking the warship. [6]

Gorshkov class frigate RFS Admiral Kasatonov and rescue tug Nikolay Chiker were seen on commercial satellite imagery in a position south of the southern most tip of Sicily. Both vessels were on an eastern course. [7]

January 23
Tapir class landing ship RFS Saratov transited the Bosporus at 04:20Z and headed towards the Black Sea. [8]

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