Russian Navy - News and Analysis

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jul-01 Weekly Brief Absence of the frigate Admiral Gorshkov might indicate that the vessel is once again providing escort for a weapon running cargo vessel through the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar and the minehunter Vladimir Emelyanov returned to Tartus, indicating a break from the submarine training that has taken place in the past days and weeks. Fleet oiler Kola departed the Mediterranean around June 20th but was observed in the Bay of the Seine. There are speculations that the vessel will await the arrival of the frigate Neustrashimmy and escort it back into the Mediterranean. So far there has been no verification for these statements.  The AIS signal on the morning of July 1st still held the oiler at anchor in the Bay of the Seine. Daily Events June 26 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus showed that most of the task force was present. The ships were visually ident...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jun-24 Weekly Brief A new weapons running cargo vessel might have appeared in the Mediterranean Sea. The merchant vessel Pizhma most likely serves the same role as the Sparta IV when it comes to transporting military cargo between Russia and Syria. The vessel was also escorted towards Tartus by the Admiral Gorshkov during Wk 24 and this week, suggesting that she is carrying an important cargo. Submarine training operations might have been underway during the second half of the week. Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar was absent from Tartus together with the minehunter Vladimir Emelyanov. This most likely suggest training for the Krasnodar with the minehunter keeping watch and tracking the progress of the submarine. Fleet oiler Kola departed the Mediterranean and is returning back towards the Baltic Sea. Her duty of supplying the Mediterranean task force has been taken over by the Vyazma. It seems highly likely that the ...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jun-17 Weekly Brief Both the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and fleet oiler Kola departed the port of Tartus by the beginning of the week. Both vessels are heading in a western direction towards the Strait of Gibraltar. Their westward departure roughly coincides with the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike task force in the Mediterranean [ a ]. It is unclear if the Admiral Gorshkov is being deployed to keep track of the US Navy carrier task force or if she is heading back to her homeport following seven months of deployment at sea. Departure of the Admiral Gorshkov would severely reduce the combat capabilities of the Russian task force in the Mediterranean. Daily Events June 13 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the presence of Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar, the Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Alexandrit class minehunter Vladimir Emelyanov, logistical support vessel Vice-Admiral Paramov...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jun-10 Weekly Brief Over the past week the task force remained passive inside the harbor of Tartus while fleet oiler Vyzma steadily heading towards Tartus. The inactivity is in sharp contrast with the other fleets that have begun their summer training programs. Daily Events June 4 Fleet oiler Vyazma was observed 38 kilometers northeast of the Italian island of Pantelleria. The vessel was heading on a southeastern course [ 1 ]. June 5 Satellite imagery of Tartus showed the entire task force being moored inside the harbor. The fleet oiler Vyazma was observed 267km southeast of Syracuse, Sicily, while heading southeast at a speed of 12 knots [ 2 ].  June 7 The entire task force remains moored inside the harbor of Tartus. The fleet Vyazma continues to head towards Tartus, its AIS signal places it southwest of Cyprus [ 3 ].

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jun-03 Weekly Brief Naval activity appears to have been absent with all vessels being visually observed at Tartus.  Fleet oiler Vyazma has arrived in the Mediterranean. The vessel could serve to relieve the Kola or escort the Admiral Gorshkov back towards the Northern Fleet. Daily Events May 31 All vessels of the task force were observed moored inside the port of Tartus [ 1 ]. June 02 The AIS signal of fleet oiler Vyazma was reported in the Western Mediterranean during the morning hours.