Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk05/2023

Task Force Composition
As reported by OSINT at the morning of Feb-04

Weekly Brief
The Task Force has become more active in recent days with a deployment of the fleet oiler Akademik Pashin towards the Ionian Sea. The oiler is supporting at least one vessel, identified a as a Steregushchy class corvette. Before approaching the Adriatic Sea, the Akademik Pashin turned back and might be setting course back towards the Eastern Mediterranean.

Daily Events

January 28th
Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin was observed in a position 38 Km southeast of Akrotiri. The vessel was on a northeastern course and appears to be refueling a Steregushchy class corvette from an astern position [1].

January 30th
Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin was observed heading southwest at position 34 degrees 57 minutes north by 25 degrees 36,2 minutes east, about 57 kilometers southeast of Lentas, Crete. Once again the fleet oilers is refueling what appears to be a Steregushchy class corvette [2].

January 31th
The AIS Signal of fleet oiler Akademik Pashin was observed southwest of the Greek island of Zakynthos. The fleet oiler is heading northwest towards the entrance of the Adriatic Sea and passed close to the US Navy replenishment vessel USNS Kanawha [3].

February 1st
Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin moved north in the Ionian Sea until it passed the Greek island of Corfu. The fleet oiler then turned back to the southeast. A US Navy Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft flew near the Akademik Pashin during the morning hours [4].

The Russian ocean going tug Sarmat is reported of the coast of Portugal and might be heading into the Mediterranean [5].

February 2nd
Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin is once again located near the Greek island of Zakynthos and heading on a southeastern course. Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and the Greek Coast Guard keep track of the vessel [6].

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