Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk26/2023
Task Force Composition
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 identified as the Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar, the Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo, the Aleksandrit class minehunter Vladimir Emelyanov, the fleet oiler Vyazma and logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paramov [1].