Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk15/2023

Task Force Composition

As reported by OSINT at the morning of Apr-15


Weekly Brief

Following several weeks of delay due to unannounced port visits in the Red Sea, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal on April 11.

The frigate brings with it hypersonic Tsirkon cruise missiles, thereby significantly increasing the combat capabilities of the Mediterranean task force.

However, the absence of long range detection capabilities means that there is a small chance that these missiles can be successfully deployed from a long range.

Daily Events

April 10
Frigate Admiral Gorshkov and fleet oiler Kama were reported in a position 56 kilometers south of Port Suez. Both vessels are awaiting to transit the Suez Canal towards the Mediterranean [1].

Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus showed several warships being moored inside the harbor. These vessels were identified as the Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar, both Steregushchy class corvettes and the Altay class fleet oiler Kola [2].

April 11
Frigate Admiral Gorshkov and fleet oiler Kama have entered the Mediterranean after passing through the Suez Canal. The passage was completed by the afternoon [3].


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