Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk09/2021

Task force composition

As reported by OSINT on the morning of March 07


Weekly Brief

Russian naval activity increased during this week, mainly in the form of port visits by the RFS Admiral Kasatonov and sea tanker RFS Vyazma. Russian naval forces were briefly suspected of launching missiles towards oil refineries in the Jarabulus in Syria but this was never verified by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Corvette RFS Vyshniy Volochek did however held an air defense exercise at Turtus by the end of the week, though its missile launches were all simulated.
Improved Kilo class submarine RFS Rostov on Don is nearing the Strait of Gibraltar and will enter the Mediterranean around the evening of March 07.

Daily events

February 28
Buyan-M class corvette RFS Orekhovo-Zuevo transited the Bosporus at 1115Z and headed towards the Mediterranean [1] [2]. The vessel will replace the corvette RFS Vyshniy Volochek [3].

March 02
Gorshkov class frigate RFS Admiral Kasatonov has arrived at the Turkish naval base at Akzas-Karagach for a port visit which will last until March 04 [4]. The vessel will also take the opportunity to resupply its food, water and fuel stocks. 

Sea tanker RFS Vyazma and rescue tug Nikolay Chiker have arrived at the port of Limassol, Cyprus, for a port visit [5]. Both vessels will take on fuel, water and food during their stay in port. The duration of the port visit was not reported.

March 04
Gorshkov class frigate RFS Admiral Kasatonov has completed her port visit at the Turkish naval base at Akzas-Karagach and headed back to sea [6].

Sea tanker RFS Vyazma left the port of Limassol`, Cyprus, at 1420Z [7]. The tanker spent two days in port to resupply its stocks. 

Rescue tug Prof Nikolay Muru and Improved Kilo class submarine RFS Rostov on Don were reported at 64 nautical miles of the city of Porto, Portugal [8]. Both vessels are heading southwards towards the Strait of Gibraltar.

March 05
Russian warships allegedly launched three missiles towards an oil refinery in the Al-Hamaran area in the Jarabulus region north-east of Aleppo [9] [10]. The Syrian armed forces reportedly also launched tactical ballistic missiles towards oil refineries near Tarheen. These ballistics missiles are identified as  OTR-21 Tochka missiles [11] [12]. Neither the Russian Ministry of Defense or Russian Media confirmed if Russian warships were involved in the missile strike.

Ropucha class landing ship RFS Novocherkassk transited the Bosporus and headed towards the Black Sea following a supply run towards the Syrian port of Tartus. The transit took place around 0530Z and was monitored by the Turkish Coast Guard vessel TCSG-106 [13]

March 06
Rescue tug Prof Nikolay Muru and Improved Kilo class submarine RFS Rostov on Don are reported near the Strait of Gibraltar [14]. It is expected that both vessels will enter the Mediterranean on March 07 during the evening [15].

March 07
Buyan M class corvette RFS Vyshniy Volochek held an air defense exercise at the port of Tartus. The corvette was tasked to defend the Russian logistics center against a hostile air strike. The vessel tracked and classified several simulated targets before conducting simulated launches [16].

Improved Kilo class submarine RFS Rostov-on-Don was sighted passing the Strait of Gibraltar around noon [17]

Sea tanker RFS Vyazma and rescue tug Nikolay Chiker were reported in a position 43 nautical miles northwest of Beirut at 1500Z [18].

Tapir class landing ship RFS Saratov transited the Bosporus en route towards the Syrian port of Tartus [19].

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