Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk31/2021

Task Force Composition

As reported by OSINT at noon of August 07


Weekly Brief

A new session of planned rotations is currently ongoing with the arrival of frigate RFS Admiral Essen and MCM vessel RFS Ivan Golubets. The rescue tug Sergei Balk also appears to be heading back to the Black Sea and was last reported near the Greek island of Rhodes as it entered the Southern Aegean Sea.

Daily Events

August 04
Rescue tug Sergei Balk most likely departed the port of Tartus, Syria [1]. The departure was not verified by other sources.

August 06
Natya class minesweeper RFS Ivan Golubets passed the Bospurus and headed towards the Mediterranean [2]. The vessel is part of the 150th Minesweeper Division of the 68th Coastal Defense Ship Brigade [3]. The deployment of the vessel is part of a planned rotation of forces [4].

Rescue tug Sergei Balk was reported entering the southern Aegean Sea. The vessel was southwest of Rhodes during the evening hours [5].

August 07
Grigorovich class frigate RFS Admiral Essen transited the Bosporus and headed towards the Mediterranean. The vessel is part of the 30th Surface Ship Division of the Black Sea Fleet  [6] [7] [8].

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