Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk46/2021

Task Force Composition
As reported by OSINT on November 20


Weekly Brief
A relative strong Russian task group comprising a Grigorovich class frigate and a Bykov class patrol vessel is operating in the Western Mediterranean. The vessels took part in a joint exercise with the Algerian Navy which focused on countering naval activity by non-state actors such as piracy and smuggling. The Russian vessels are however in a close position to monitor the French naval exercise Polaris 21 [a]. It is possible that both vessels and their escorting rescue tug are going to wait for the arrival of two Baltic Fleet Ropucha class vessels, RFS Korolev and RFS Minsk, that are reportedly heading from the Atlantic Ocean towards the Black Sea.

Some limited naval activity was reported in the Eastern Mediterranean as well with the logistic support vessel RFS Vice-Admiral Paromov making a brief port call at Limassol on November 17 and 18. The vessel allegedly did not refuel or took on supplies during its port call. It is also unknown if the vessel serves as a support vessel for other Russian warships operating in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Daily Events
November 14
Ropucha class landing vessel RFS Tsezar Kunikov passed the Bosporus and returned to the Black Sea after completing a supply run to the Syrian port of Tartus. The transit took place around 18:40Z [1].

November 15
The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that the active part of the naval exercise with the Algerian Navy will take part on November 16 and 17. The frigate RFS Admiral Grigorovich, patrol vessel RFS Dmitry Rogachev and rescue tug SB-742 will train together with the frigate Harrad, training vessel La Sammam and rescue vessel El Munjid. And Algerian patrol aircraft and a search and rescue helicopter will take part as well.
The training exercise will reportedly focus on anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, preventing the movement of terrorists and weapons of mass destruction. The exercise will be coordinate from the flagship of the Algerian Navy with the Algerian commander of the Central Region of the Algerian Navy, Rear Admiral Qaid Nordin and the Russian commander of the Novorossiysk naval base Rear Admiral Viktor Kochemazov being in command [2].

November 16
Baltic Fleet Ropucha class LSTs RFS Korolev and RFS Minsk are reportedly heading towards the Mediterranean and Black Sea [3]. Both vessels are reported at the exit of the English Channel and heading into the Bay of Biscay [4].

Logistic support vessel RFS Vice-Admiral Paromov has allegedly left the port of Tartus, Syria, during the morning hours [5]. By 1900Z, the vessel was reported in a position 57 nautical miles of Beirut [6].
It is possible, though yet to be confirmed, the vessel might head to the Strait of Gibraltar and act as an escort for the two Baltic Fleet Ropucha class LSTs heading towards the Black Sea.

November 17
Logistic support vessel RFS Vice-Admiral Paromov arrived at the port of Limassol, Cyrpus, at 0800Z [7].

November 18
Logistic support vessel RFS Vice-Admiral Paromov left the port of Limassol around 1500Z. The vessel allegedly remains the same draft, indicating that it did not load or unload while in port. The vessel headed east, possible back towards Tartus [8].

November 20
Tapir class landing vessel RFS Orsk passed through the Bosporus and headed towards the Mediterranean [9]. The vessel was observed transporting several civilian vehicles on its upper deck. Some of these vehicles were reported as Toyota trucks while others were seen hidden underneath camouflage nets [10].

Baltic Fleet Ropucha class landing vessels RFS Minsk and RFS Korolov transited the Strait of Gibraltar and were reported in the eastern part of the Alboran Sea [11]. The passage took place during the morning hours but was not visibly confirmed due to foul weather at Gibraltar [12].

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