Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk09/2023

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

Weekly Brief

Naval activity by the task force remains high. Both Steregushchy class corvettes remained at sea while the majority of the task force remained in Tartus. By the end of the week, the Gorshkov class frigate Admiral Kasatonov sailed westwards, escorted by the fleet oiler Akademik Pashin. These vessels will most likely relief the Steregushchy class corvettes. 

Altay class fleet oiler Kola entered the Mediterranean at the beginning of the week, boosting the capabilities of the task force to remain at sea for longer periods.

Frigate Admiral Gorshkov and her escorting tanker Kama have departed South Africa and are slowly heading towards the Mediterrean via the Mozambique channel. Their arrival is expected in the next two weeks. 
Once present in the Mediterranean, it is generally assumed that Admiral Kasatonov and fleet oiler Akademik Pashin will return towards the Northern Fleet. Both Steregushchy class frigates might also take this opportunity to head back towards the Baltic Sea.


Daily Events

February 26
Fleet oiler Kola has passed Europa Point in the Strait of Gibraltar and entered in the Mediterranean. The Kola is sailing close to the coastline of Morocco [1].

February 28
Several warships were observed in the port of Tartus by means of satellite imagery. These vessels were identified as the frigates Admiral Kasatonov and Admiral Grigorovich, the Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zueyvo, the Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar and the fleet oiler Akademik Pashin [2].

March 2
Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin and frigate Admiral Kasatonov were observed in a position 305 kilometers southwest of Cyprus. The vessels were on a western course heading towards Crete [3].

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