Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk13/2022

Task Force Composition

As reported by OSINT at the morning of April 02


Weekly Brief

Reports about Russian naval activity in the Mediterranean are increasing and show a picture of the heightened naval activity in the Eastern Mediterranean. Both Surface Action Groups were at sea during the beginning of the week as no cruisers and destroyers were observed in Tartus. The SAG centered on the Northern Fleet warships continues to operate South of Crete. Possibly she is keeping watch on joint French-Greek naval exercises.

Repair vessel PM-82 did leave Tartus and has been operating near Crete since March 28. Her deployment is unusual as she is basically a floating workshop designed to repair vessels in the absence of a dedicated base. Her deployment near Crete where at least one SAG is operating suggest that there could be mechanical breakdowns in this SAG.

The departure of the Vice-Admiral Paromov and her appearing near the Suez Canal could indicate that she might go the Red Sea or that she is awaiting the arrival of new Russian Navy units into the Mediterranean. So far, there have been no reports of Russian warships operating in the Red Sea.

The AIS signal of fleet oiler Vyazma was last reported on March 31st at the Port of Tartus, suggesting that she is refueling her bunkers with the use of Syrian oil refineries.

Daily Events

March 26
Amur class repair vessel PM-82 is reported at sea during the morning [1].

Grigorovich class frigate Admiral Grigorovich was spotted on commercial satellite imagery inside the port of the Tartus, Syria. Both Kilo class submarines were not observed in port [2].

March 27
The frigate Admiral Grigorovich is absent from commercial satellite imagery of the port of Tartus, Syria [2].

March 30
Amur class repair vessel PM-82 is operating on the eastern side of Crete [3].

March 31
The AIS signal of fleet oiler Vyazma was last reported in the port of Tartus during the morning hours.



April 01
Slava class cruiser Marshal Ustinov and her escorts are presumed operating south of Crete [4].

Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov is reported near the anchorage of Port Said [5]. It is unclear if the vessel is leaving the Mediterranean or awaiting the arrival of Russian units.

Rescue tug Sergey Balk departed Tartus and was reported in a position 40 nautical miles northwest of Beirut around 1800Z [6].

Repair vessel PM-82 is reported east of Crete where it has been loitering since March 28 [7].

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