Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk29/2022

Task Force Composition

As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jul 23

Weekly Brief

The first two units of the task force have left the Mediterranean since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov and intelligence collection vessel Kidlin departed the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar.

The other intelligence collection vessel, Vasiliy Tatishchev, was last reported in the Balearic Sea where it keeps track on the US carrier strike group centered on the Harry Truman.

Unverified reports claim that the two surface action groups have left their area of operations near Crete and are now operating deeper in the Eastern Mediterranean. The task force centered on the Pacific Fleet is reported south of Cyprus conducting exercises while the one centered on the Northern Fleet operates between Syria and Cyprus.
Both the fleet oilers were also reported at Tartus by the end of the week. Though unconfirmed it could mean that Russia is starting to find it more difficult to keep the SAGs operational and has withdraw them closer to Tartus to keep the supply lines short.

Daily Events

July 16
Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov is reported 52 nautical miles north of Skikda and heading in a western direction. It is possible that this vessel might be heading towards Algeria [1].

July 17
Logistical support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov arrived in the port of Algiers [2].

July 18
Support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov was observed on satellite imagery inside the port of Algiers. The vessel was moored next to an Russian Moma class intelligence vessel [3]. The vessel was identified as the Kildin [4].

July 21
Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov departed the Mediterranean and entered the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar. The vessel passed Europa Point around 07:30 local time [5]. The vessel most likely escorted the Mona class intelligence collection vessel Kidlin [6].
Vishnya class intelligence collection vessel Vasiliy Tatishchev is allegedly operating between Sardinia and the Balearic Islands where it keep track of the Harry Truman carrier strike group [6].
Both surface action groups are now reported deeper in the Eastern Mediterranean and operating near Cyprus. However, no independent source was reported to verify this movement [7].

Several vessels are reported inside the port of Tartus. These include both improved Kilo class submarines, frigate Admiral Gorshkov, rescue tug Sergey Balk and the fleet oilers Vyazma and Boris Butoma [8]. Satellite imagery to visually verify these claims was however not made available.

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