Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk18/2023

Task Force Composition

As reported by OSINT at the morning of May-06

Weekly Brief
Further reduction of the task force was observed with the departure of the intelligence collection vessel Yuri Ivanov. The departure of this vessels will result in less Russian coverage of NATO exercises within the Mediterranean.

As for the remainder of the task force, little to no activity was reported at the beginning of the week though a Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar and the minehunter Vladimir Emelyanov were absent from the port of Tartus. Both vessels could have been deployed in the coastal zone which would explain the presence of an Italian P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft observing the area around Latakia.

Daily Events

April 30
Satellite imagery of the port of Latakia showed several Russian warships being moored inside the harbor. These vessels were identified as the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, the corvette Orekhovo-Zuyeve and the fleet oiler Kola [1].

May 02
A P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft of the Italian Navy departed Sigonella airbase and conducted a patrol along the shorelines near Latakia [2]. The deployment the P-8A suggests Russian maritime activity in this area.

May 5
Intelligence collection vessel Yuri Ivanov departed the Mediterranean. She was visually observed passing through the Strait of Gibraltar heading west into the Atlantic Ocean during the afternoon [3].

Popular posts from this blog

Russian Naval deployments during the Ukraine War

Image
March 17, 2022 At least six Russian warships were observed near Odessa. The warships maintained their distance and operated on the horizon. March 16, 2022 Several vessels entered the port of Sevastopol including the patrol vessel Vasily Bykov. The Bykov was rumored to be struck and sunk by a Ukrainian grad MLRS barrage near Odessa on March 07 dough this was never officially confirmed.  The visual confirmation of the vessel entering the port of Sevastopol undamaged indicates that if an MLRS attack took place, it did not struck the Bykov. Ropucha class landing vessel Kondopoga of the northern fleet allegedly also entered the port of Sevastopol. March 15, 2022 Several Russian warships and landing ships were spotted on commercial satellite imagery during the morning hours. The vessels were heading in the direction of Odessa.  The vessel leading the formation of landing ships appears to be minesweeper with her sweeping array deployed. During the evening, around 90 missiles were reported fir
Read more

Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk20/2024

Image
Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of May-18 Weekly Brief A significant reduction in combat strength took place with the departure of Northern and Baltic Fleet warships as well as the Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo. This leaves the task force reduced to a detachment of the Pacific Fleet and the frigate Admiral Grigorovich.  The departure also included the two amphibious landing vessels, thus resulting in an end to maritime weapon shipments for Russian mercenary forces stationed in Libya. Daily Events May 11 Civilian oil tanker Okeansky Prospect entered the Mediterranean during the afternoon via the Strait of Gibraltar [ 1 ]. Weapons runner Sparta IV was anchored near Malta and would stay there until May 13th. Frigate Admiral Grigorovich was observed sailing near Sparta IV [ 2 ]. May 12 Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov was observed entering the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar at 10.45 local time [ 3 ]. Russian oil tanker Vladimir Mon
Read more

Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk36/2024

Image
Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Sep-07 Weekly Brief Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin, most likely escorted by the frigate Neustrashimy, unexpectedly departed the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. Their destination was not reported though several Russian interests are present in the region such as Sudan, Yemen and Iran. A long term Indian Ocean deployment appears to be unlikely since these deployments are almost always handled by vessels of Russia's Pacific Fleet. Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk has been closing in on the Strait of Gibraltar. The submarine and her escorts could be entering the Mediterranean in Week 37. Daily Events September 02 Fleet oiler Akademik Pashin is reported 120 to 140 nautical miles from the entrance of the Suez Canal. The vessel is escorted by an unidentified frigate [ 1 ]. September 03 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, frigate Admiral Grigorovich, Stere
Read more