Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk07/2022
Task Force Composition
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Weekly Brief
The Russian Navy operated two distinct and independent surface action groups (SAG) during the week. Both SAG was made up of a Slava class cruiser, an Udaloy class destroyer and a frigate. The SAG centered on the Northern Fleet operated mainly near Crete with the Pacific Fleet SAG remained reported near the Syrian coast. Both movements of the SAG suggest that they continue to track NATO carrier groups in the Mediterranean with the Charles de Gaulle operating in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Harry Truman operating in the Adriatic Sea.
Both SAG's allegedly converged in the Eastern Mediterranean on Friday for a large scale naval exercise near the port of Tartus. This exercise also involved the Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and MiG-31K interceptors that were deployed to Khmeimim airbase on February 14.
Planned rotations and drawdowns continued with the most notable transit the departure of the Improved Kilo class submarine Rostov on Don heading back towards the Black Sea. Of the three submarines that were operating in the Mediterranean, she was the longest one serving, having entered the Mediterranean on March 7th, 2021.
Daily Events
February 12
Improved Kilo class submarine Rostov-On-Don passed through the Dardanelles and entered the Sea of Marmara [1].
February 13
Rescue tug Sergey Balk is reported 40 nautical miles southeast of Limassol, Cyprus. The vessel is most likely returning to the port of Tartus, Syria after supporting an Improved Kilo class submarine and rescue vessel Epron [2] [3].
Slava class cruiser Marshal Ustinov and her escorts was reported south of Crete around 0430Z [4]. The AIS signal of the cruiser was later reported southeast of Crete, confirming that the vessel is heading towards the Syrian coast. The AIS data reports the vessel on a heading of 100 degrees at a speed of 11 knots [5].
February 14
Bykov class patrol vessel Dmitry Rogachev was reported west of Rhodos and entering the Aegean Sea. According to its AIS signal, the vessel is making 10.3 knots and heading on a course of 328 degrees [6].
February 15
Tu-22M3 bombers and MiG-31K interceptor aircraft have arrived at the Khmeimim airbase in preparation for a naval exercise near the Syrian coast [7]. Four Tu-22M3 bombers were identified as RED 15, RED 16, RED 28 and RED 50 [8]. The bombers carried Kh-22 anti-ship missiles [9] instead of the previously reported Khinzal missiles [10] .
Bykov class patrol vessel Dmitry Rogachev passed the Dardanelles and entered the Sea of Marmara [11].
Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu inspected the naval units operating near Tartus, Syria, as they are getting ready for a large scale naval exercise. A video of the inspection showed several vessel at sea such as Slava class cruiser Varyag, Udaloy class destroyer Admiral Tributs and frigate Admiral Grigorovich [12]. Harbor protection drills were held as well with at least two Grachonok class patrol boats begin deployed. These boats appear to have dropped grenades in the water as part of an anti-sabotage exercise against combat swimmers [13].
Not show on video, but apparently taking part in the exercise is Slava class cruiser Marshal Ustinov, Gorshkov class frigate Admiral Kasatonov and Udaloy class destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov.
The exercise involved tracking and destroying enemy submarines, establish sea control over commercial shipping lanes and defend the airspace above the area of operations [14].
February 16
Bykov class patrol vessel Dmitry Rogachev passed through the Bosporus and headed towards the Black Sea [15]. Passage was reported at 0400Z [16].
Fleet tanker Vyazma is reported at anchor in a position 37NM to the south of Ierapetra, Crete. The tanker is believed to be in the company of Slava class cruiser Marshal Ustinov, Udaloy class destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov and Gorshkov class frigate Admiral Kasatonov [17].
February 17
Fleet tanker Vyazma is reported during the morning in a position 50 nautical miles south of Ierapetra, Crete. Slava class cruiser Marshal Ustinov is believed to operated another 30 nautical miles further south [18].
Rescue vessel Epron passed the Bosporus during the morning and returned towards the Black Sea following a 35 day deployment in the Mediterranean [19] [20].
February 18
An anti-submarine exercise was held in the eastern Mediterranean which also involved the deployment of Tu-22M3 strategic bombers armed with Kh-22 anti-ship missiles and MiG-31K interceptors which provided escort for the bombers. At least one Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft took to the sky. The aircraft was marked with a white polar boar in the nose, suggesting that the aircraft came from the Northern Fleet Naval Aviation regiment.
The task force at sea involved the Pacific and Northern Fleet surface action group of Slava class cruisers Varyag and Marshal Ustinov, Udaloy class destroyers Admiral Tributs and Vice-Admiral Kulakov and Gorshkov class frigate Admiral Kasatonov. Black Sea Fleet Grigorovich class frigate Admiral Grigorovich was also spotted in this task force. Ka-27PL ship-mounted helicopters were also deployed in the exercise. Helicopter Yellow-35 was spotted on video. The exercise took place near at least two civilian cargo vessels [21].
